PULSES CULTIVATION

Published on 18 Feb 2025

India is the largest producer (25% of global production), consumer (27% of world consumption), and importer (14% of pulses) in the world. Pulses account for around 20% of the area under foodgrains and contribute around 7%-10% of the total foodgrains production in the country.

Significance of Pulses in India

• Nutritional Importance

• Protein Powerhouse: Pulses are a primary source of protein for millions of Indians, especially vegetarians. They complement the carbohydrate-rich staple diet of rice and wheat.

• Essential Nutrients: Rich in fibre, iron, zinc, and other essential micronutrients, pulses contribute significantly to overall health and nutrition.

• Agricultural Significance

• Soil Enrichment: Pulses have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, improving soil fertility and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

• Crop Rotation: They play a vital role in crop rotation, helping to break disease cycles and maintain soil health.

• Economic Stability: Pulse cultivation provides a significant source of income for millions of small and marginal farmers, especially in rain-fed areas.

• Food Security: Being a staple food, pulses contribute significantly to India's food security.

• Economic Significance

• Export Potential: India is a major exporter of pulses, contributing to the country's foreign exchange earnings.

• Domestic Market: The vast domestic market for pulses creates employment opportunities in various sectors, including agriculture, processing, and trade.

Challenges faced by Pulses Cultivation in India

• Agro-Climatic Constraints

• Rainfed Cultivation: Most pulses are grown under rainfed conditions (80%), making them vulnerable to erratic rainfall and drought.   

• Soil Fertility: Pulses are often cultivated on marginal and sub-marginal lands with poor soil fertility.   

Example: Low organic matter content, micronutrient deficiencies (Zn, Fe, B), and acid soils restrict root development and symbiotic N fixation.

• Climate Change: Changing weather patterns, including increased temperature and unpredictable rainfall, impact yield.   

• Technological Challenges

• Low Yielding Varieties: Lack of high-yielding, disease-resistant pulse varieties.   

• Limited Mechanization: Low level of mechanization in pulse cultivation, leading to higher labor costs and inefficiencies.   

• Post-Harvest Losses: Inadequate storage and processing facilities resulting in significant post-harvest losses.

• Example: Inefficient threshing, drying, storage, and processing practices lead to substantial quality and quantity losses.

• Economic Constraints

• Low Profitability: Compared to other crops, pulse cultivation offers relatively low returns, discouraging farmers.

• Market Fluctuations: Price volatility in the pulse market affects farmers' income.

• Credit Access: Limited access to credit for smallholder farmers hinders investment in improved practices.

• Policy and Infrastructure Challenges

• Procurement Issues: Inefficient government procurement operations and support prices.   

• Infrastructure Gaps: Lack of proper storage, transportation, and processing facilities.

Strategies and measures to improve Pulse cultivation in India

• Production Enhancement

• Agronomic Improvements: Promote intercropping of pulses with cereals under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) to improve soil fertility and reduce production risks.

• Water Management: Encourage the adoption of micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).

• Soil Health Management: Implement the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) to promote organic farming and soil health card scheme for precise nutrient management.

• Variety Improvement: Support the All India Coordinated Research Project for Pulses (AICRP) to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties.

• Technological Interventions

• Mechanization: Provide subsidies for farm machinery through the National Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (NMAM) and establish Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs).

• Post-Harvest Management: Promote the construction of rural godowns under the Warehouse Infrastructure Fund (WIF) and support Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for collective post-harvest activities.

• Seed Technology: Implement the National Seeds Project to improve seed quality and distribution.

• Market Development

• Price Stabilization: Ensure timely procurement and payment under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and create buffer stocks.

• Value Addition: Promote pulse-based food products through schemes like the Mega Food Park Scheme.

• Market Intelligence: Strengthen the Agricultural Market Information Network (AGMARKNET) for real-time price information.

• Export Promotion: Support the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in identifying export markets.

• Policy and Institutional Support

• Procurement Reforms: Streamline the e-Procurement system under the National Agricultural Market (e-NAM) platform and expand the network of procurement centres.

• Extension Services: Strengthen the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and employ more agriculture extension officers.

• Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage partnerships between public and private sectors for research, seed production, and processing.

• Credit and Insurance: Expand coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) schemes.

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Keywords:
PULSES CULTIVATION Significance of Pulses in India Challenges faced by Pulses Cultivation in India Strategies and measures to improve Pulse cultivation in India

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Resources Distribution