In the last five-six years, India has increased pulses production from 140 lakh tonnes to more than 240 lakh tonnes.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Food Processing Industries, Narendra Singh Tomar said that India is the biggest producer and consumer of pulses in the world and it has almost achieved self-sufficiency in pulses. In the last five-six years, India has increased pulses production from 140 lakh tonnes to more than 240 lakh tonnes. In the year 2019-20, India produced 23.15 million tonnes of pulses, which is 23.62 per cent of the world. The Minister was speaking at the international event held in Rome to celebrate World Pulses Day which he attended virtually.
Tomar said that the present initiative of the Government of India to increase the production of pulses is an attempt to bridge the demand and supply gap. Since pulses fulfill the protein requirement of a large section of Indians, it will continue to be a major component of Indian agriculture. He also said, “Pulses will continue to find a place in our National Food Security Mission and other programs as a major crop. Pulses production has increased on a large scale by targeting rice fallow areas and combining innovative technological activities and provision of essential agricultural inputs.”
The Minister said that despite difficulties during COVID, India has emerged as a global exporter/supplier of food items in the world. In comparison to the same period of the previous year, from April to December -2020, India recorded an increase in export of agricultural commodities including pulses with a 26% increase in pulses production.
