INVC,,
Delhi,,
India is likely to harvest a record 16.5 million tonne pulses this year. This was announced by the Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, at the 6th Agriwatch Global Pulses Summit here today.
The Minister said that though India presently imports a large quantity of pulses, the use of new production technologies and agronomic practices, and government support will lead to self sufficiency.
Shri Pawar said that more aggressive promotion of available technologies is being done under the Accelerated Pulses Production Program. Minimum Support Price of the pulses has been significantly increased. The minimum support price has been doubled in last three year with quantum jump given this year with an increase of more than 50%. Pulses procurement mechanism has been strengthened by designating additional central agencies to support the farmers.
So as to ensure availablility and check the prices of pulses, the government is in the process of evolving a mechanism to work out regular tenders on import of pulses through the State Agencies, the Minister said.
