Why in the News?
The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development has approved the National Pulses Mission (Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses).
About the National Pulses Mission:
- Launch (2025): Approved by the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses by 2030–31, improve nutrition, and raise farmer incomes.
- Targets: Production to rise from 24.2 MT (2024–25) to 35 MT (2030–31); acreage 310 lakh ha, yield 1,130 kg/ha.
- Coverage: 416 districts, with focus on rice fallows, improved seeds, intercropping, irrigation, and market linkages.
- MSP Procurement: 100% assured for Tur, Urad, Masoor for four years under PM-AASHA Price Support Scheme, via NAFED/NCCF.
- Framework: Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM); combines ICAR-led R&D with private sector inputs, processing, and storage.
- Budget: ₹11,440 crore outlay up to 2030–31 for multi-year implementation.
- Outcomes: Improved nutrition, soil fertility (nitrogen-fixing), stable prices, climate resilience, and rural employment.
Key Features:
- Cluster-Based Approach: Targets high-potential regions, diversifies beyond traditional belts, reduces risks.
- Market Infrastructure: 1,000 post-harvest units (dal mills, grading, packaging) with subsidies up to ₹25 lakh/unit.
- Research & Extension: New high-yield, climate-resilient varieties; farmer training on nutrient, pest, and water management.
- Risk Cover: Subsidies, insurance, and credit to reduce cultivation risks.
- Market Reforms: Direct sales linkages, transparent logistics, MSP-backed procurement.
| [UPSC 2020] With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:
1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop. 2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production. 3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased. (a) 1 only * (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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