Back2Basics:

Moong (Green Gram):

• Moong is a high-protein pulse grown mainly in the Kharif season (June–July) and also in summer (March–April) and limited Rabi areas.
• It thrives in well-drained loamy to sandy-loam soils with a temperatures of 25–35°C.
• Fits well into crop rotations like Moong–Wheat or Summer Moong–Kharif Moong–Raya due to its short duration (60–75 days).
• Major producers are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, MP, Andhra Pradesh, and UP.

Urad (Black Gram):

• Urad is grown mainly in the Kharif season (June–July) and also as a Rabi crop in southern India, needing a warm, humid climate.
• Prefers well-drained loamy soils, unsuitable for waterlogged or saline areas; ideal temperature is 25–35°C.
• Often sown in rotations with cereals like rice or wheat and widely used in intercropping/mixed cropping systems.
• Key producing states include UP, MP, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

What is the PM-AASHA Scheme?

• Launch: PM-AASHA, launched in September 2018, is an umbrella scheme by the Government of India designed to ensure fair prices for farmers’ produce, specifically for pulses, oilseeds, and copra.
• Goal: It complements the government’s policy of setting MSP at 1.5 times the cost of production.
• Components: The scheme aims to translate increased MSPs into actual income gains through three implementation pathways:

1. 1. Price Support Scheme (PSS): Physical procurement at MSP by central agencies like NAFED.
   2. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): Farmers receive the difference between MSP and actual selling price directly into their bank accounts; no physical procurement.
   3. Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS): Pilot scheme allowing private players to procure at MSP to supplement government efforts.

• Nodal Agency: It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with procurement agencies operating at both central and state levels.

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. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only * (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3