Pulses News: To boost pulses production, govt suggests YIP strategy.

For boosting output and attaining self-sufficiency, expressing concern about stagnant pulses production, the government’s mid-year economic analysis on Friday suggested three-pronged strategy focusing on ‘Yield, Insurance and Price’ (YIP).

In the mid-year economic report, which was presented to Parliament, the government said “Pulses form an important constituent of food basket of the population and are an important source of protein. However, the production of pulses has lagged far behind consumption since 1995.”

In 2014-15 crop year (July-June), the pulses prices rose sharply in October because of around two million tonne fall in domestic output due to deficient monsoon. Due to stagnant annual domestic output at 17-18 million tonne, the country had been importing 3-4 million tonne.

The retail prices of arhar or tur rose to Rs 200 per kg in October which has moderated to an extent after the government’s intervention through imports and actions against hoarders.

The report noted “In the current scenario, a three-pronged strategy focusing on YIP can augment domestic production of pulses and India can attain self-sufficiency in pulses production.”

Measures need to be taken to control pests and diseases, introduce better variety of seeds, no-till cultivation in rainfed areas to retain moisture and soil fertility. At present, the country’s productivity for pulses is around 700 kg per hectare, much lower than the global yield in pulses, says the report, to improve yields.

The report also stressed on ‘timely’ announcement of the MSP of pulses, as this would require to give greater incentives and encourage farmers to grow pulses while preventing price shocks in the retail market.

Quoting the estimates of Indian Pulses Research Institute, the report said the country can overcome the shortages in pulse production if yields are increased to 6% annually in seven states, which together account for three-fourths of the total pulse area in the country. These states are Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

The mid-term analysis said, supporting weather-based price insurance for pulses, the relevant insurance policy needs to be ‘more effective’ since the climate risks faced by farmers are very high with erratic rainfall that adversely impacts pulse cultivation.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/