Uttar Pradesh to Become Self-Sufficient in Pulse Production | 09 Jul 2024

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh aims to be self-sufficient in pulse production in 3-4 years, with a 36% increase since 2016. The Government focuses on Arhar, Urad, and Moong cultivation.

Key Points

  • During 2016-217 to 2023-2024, the production of pulses increased from 2.394 million metric tons to 3.255 million metric tons.
    • To increase pulse production 27,200 hectares of crop demonstrations will be organised under the National Food Security Mission scheme.
    • The target is set for the distribution of 31,553 quintals of seeds and the production of 27,356 quintals of certified seeds.
  • To ensure fair prices for the produce of pulse crops in the market, the government is also ensuring the procurement of all these crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
  • According to the sources, model pulse villages will be developed in the leading pulse production districts of Bundelkhand - Banda, Mahoba, Jalaun, Chitrakoot, and Lalitpur.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

  • NFSM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2007 based on the recommendations of the agriculture sub- committee of National Development Council (NDC).
  • The committee pointed out the need for improved agricultural extension services, technology transfer and decentralized planning as a result of which NFSM was conceptualized as a mission mode program.

Minimum Support Price (MSP)

  • MSP is the guaranteed amount paid to farmers when the government buys their produce.
  • MSP is based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which considers various factors such as cost of production, demand and supply, market price trends, inter-crop price parity, etc.
    • CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It came into existence in January 1965.
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister of India takes the final decision (approve) on the level of MSPs.
  • The MSP is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to growers for their produce and encouraging Crop Diversification.