With the production of pulses gone up from 14 million tons to 24 million in the last 5-6 years, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday said that the Government has saved Rs 15,000 annually reducing the dependence on imports for pulses. "In the last five-six years, due to the tireless hard work of farmers, scientists and farmer-friendly policies of the central government, the country has increased its pulses production from 140 lakh tonnes to 240 lakh tonnes. Now we also have to pay attention to future requirements,” Tomar said while addressing on the occasion of world pulses day.
“We are working towards achieving self sufficiency in pulses production since the Modi government took over. Now we need to work towards meeting requirement which is likely to go up to 32 million tonnes by 2050. We have focused heavily on cultivation of pulses. This has reduced the import of pulses drastically,” Tomar said. He said that the government has promoted cultivation of pulses by purchasing pulses at minimum support price (MSP). “We have increased MSP of pulses by 40-73% in last 6 years. The payment to pulses farmer has gone up by 40 times to Rs 10,530 crore,” the minister said.
The sowing of pulses in this winter season has gone up by 3% to 16.73 million hectares. The acreage in summer season was also up by 5% to 14 million hectare. “The production is likely to cross 24 million tonnes this year also meeting the needs of the country.