Production of Pulses and Oilseeds

During the last ten years i.e. 2014-15 to 2023-24 (as per 3^rd Advance Estimates), total pulses and oilseeds production has increased by 43% and 44%, respectively. The Government of India implements National Food Security Mission to promote cultivation of pulses and oilseeds. Under NFSM-Pulses, the incentives are provided to the farmers, through the States/Union Territories, on crop production and protection technologies, cropping system based demonstrations, production & distribution of certified seeds of newly released varieties/hybrids, Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management techniques, improved farm implements/tools/resource conservation machineries, water saving devices, capacity building of farmers through trainings during cropping season etc. Initiatives like distribution of seed minikits of newer varieties of pulses, production of quality seed, creation of seed hubs at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes / State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) / Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs), technological demonstration by KVKs have also been included under NFSM for enhancing pulses production and productivity.

Under NFSM-Oilseeds, incentives are provided to the farmers for cultivation of oilseeds for three broad interventions viz., (i) seed component covering purchase of breeder seeds, production of foundation seeds & certified seeds, distribution of certified seeds, distribution of seed minikits and seed hub (ii) production inputs component covering Plant Protection (PP) equipments & seed treating drum, PP chemicals, distribution of gypsum/ pyrites/ lime etc., Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus / bio agent, supply of bio-fertilizers, improved farm implements, sprinkler sets, water carrying pipes and (iii) transfer of technology component covering cluster/ block demonstration, Frontline Demonstrations, Cluster Frontline Demonstrations and training through National Agricultural Research System and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Integrated Pest Management through Farmer Field School (FFS) mode, training of farmers, training of officers/ extension workers, need based R&D project including seminar / kisan mela and oil extraction unit under flexi funds.

The Government of India also provides flexibility to the states for state specific needs/priorities under Rashtirya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The states can promote pulses/oilseeds under RKVY with approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary of the State.

In order to increase the productivity potential of pulses and oilseeds in the country, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) undertakes basic and strategic research on these crops and applied research in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities for developing location specific high yielding varieties and matching production packages.

Further to ensure remunerative price to farmers, Government of India implements an umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) comprising Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS) in order to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers for their produce of notified oilseeds, pulses and copra. In case of tur, masoor and urad, the procurement limit of 25% of the actual production of the commodity has been lifted for the year 2023-24 and 2024-25 under PSS in order to incentivize the farmers for enhancement of domestic production.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.