Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan addressing the National Pulses Producers Conference.
Digital Desk, Bhopal. In the national conference of pulses sector held on Saturday in Amalaha, Sehore, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, while welcoming agricultural scientists from across the country and agriculture ministers of nine states, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream is of a developed and self-reliant India. He said that self-reliance in pulses production is necessary for the country and importing pulses from abroad is not a matter of pride but a matter of concern.
The Union Minister said that the Prime Minister made agreements with 27 countries, but did not allow the interests of farmers to be compromised. Now the aim is to increase the production of pulses in the country. Emphasizing on crop diversification, he said that sowing only one crop tires the land and increases the incidence of pests, hence it is necessary to promote crops like gram, lentils, urad and tur.
Describing Madhya Pradesh as number one in the country in pulses production, he said that reduction in area is a matter of concern, efforts will be made to increase it. (ICARDA) in collaboration with other research institutes, improved seeds are being developed, which will be adapted to climate and diseases. Clusters will be developed for seed distribution and assistance of Rs 10,000 per hectare will also be given for ideal farming.
55 pulse mills will be set up in Madhya Pradesh
The Union Minister announced that 1000 new pulse mills will be set up across the country, out of which 55 will be in Madhya Pradesh. Reiterating the commitment to purchase at the minimum support price, the government said that tur will be purchased at Rs 8000 per quintal, urad at Rs 7800, gram at Rs 5875 and lentils at Rs 7000 per quintal. The government will take care of the farmers “from seed to market”.
He said that after the conference, a national roadmap for increasing pulses production will be prepared after brainstorming with the agriculture ministers of all the states. Under this mission, an amount of Rs 354 crore will be given to Madhya Pradesh. The Union Minister said that the real joy lies in working closely with the farm, the farmer and the soil, and the government is committed to increasing the income of farmers and making the country self-reliant in pulses production.
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