Two-Day National Workshop on Research and Development of Pulses Crops

• 18 Aug 2022

Why In news?

• On August 17, 2022, Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey inaugurated the two-day Rabi Pulses Workshop and Annual Group Meeting organized by Indira Gandhi Agricultural University in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.

Key Points

• In this two-day Rabi Pulses Workshop, discussions are being held on the development, research and production technology of new improved varieties to increase the production of gram, moong, urad, masoor, tivra, rajma and peas.
• It is noteworthy that more than 100 pulses scientists from different states of the country have participated in this workshop and annual group meeting organized to prepare an action plan and strategy for Research and Development to promote the production of pulses crops in the country.
• Deputy Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research T. R. Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said that special efforts are being made by the Central Government to make India self-reliant in the field of pulses production and reduce its import, as a result of which the country is likely to produce 2 crore 80 lakh metric tonnes of pulses this year. Significantly, in the year 2016, 1 crore 60 lakh metric tonnes of pulses were produced in the country.
• He stressed on increasing the use of mechanization and growing resistant and improved varieties of pulses crops to boost their production.
• Assistant Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research Sanjeev Gupta said that Chhattisgarh, known as a paddy bowl, is also making its mark in the field of pulses production today. He congratulated Indira Gandhi Agricultural University for developing new improved varieties of pulses crops. He said that the tivda crop grown in Chhattisgarh can play an important role in the field of providing food security.
• Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University Girish Chandel said that at present pulses crops are being taken in about 11 lakh hectare area in Chhattisgarh, in which arhar, gram, moong, urad, masoor, kulthi, tivda, rajma and peas are prominent.
• Three All India Coordinated Research Projects - Mularp Crops (Moong, Urad, Masoor, Tivda, Rajma, Peas), Gram and Arhar are being conducted at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur for research and dissemination work on pulses crops, under which development of new improved varieties, Production technology and frontline demonstration work is being done on the fields of farmers.
• So far, a total of 25 varieties of improved and disease-resistant varieties of various pulses crops have been developed by the university, including 2 varieties of moong, 1 urad, 3 of arhar, 6 of kulthi, 1 of cowpea, 5 of gram, 4 of peas, 2 of tivra and 1 variety of lentil.
• Vice-Chancellor Dr. Girish Chandel said that two improved varieties of Tivda, the major pulses crop of Chhattisgarh, have been developed by the university, which are completely safe for human use. New agricultural implements are being developed by the university to promote mechanization in pulses crops.
• On this occasion, State Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said that in order to promote the production of pulses crops in Chhattisgarh, special incentives are being given to the farmers growing pulses, under which a grant of Rs 9,000 per acre is being given to the farmers producing pulses instead of paddy.
• He said that in order to promote pulses production, the state government is procuring tur and urad from farmers at the rate of Rs 8000 per quintal instead of the support price of Rs 6600.
• Due to the efforts of the state government, the area and production of pulses in the state has increased in the last years and today pulses crops are being cultivated in an area of 11 lakh hectares, which is expected to increase to 15 lakh hectares in the next two years.