Context:
Global Pulses Conference (GPC) urges India to augment Production of Pulses to meet Nutritional requirements.
Global Pulses Conference (GPC):
- GPC – An annual global meet organized by Global Pulse Confederation
- Representation of India – By India Pulses and Grains Association
Pulses:
- Pulses – Type of leguminous crops like Chickpeas, Pigeon peas, etc.
- Important variants – Black Gram, Green Gram, Cowpea, Chickpea, Lentil, Lathyrus, Field pea and Kidney bean.
- Significance –
- Contains 20 to 25% protein by weight which is double the protein content of wheat.
- Diet diversification to address malnutrition
- Improved soil health through Nitrogen fixation
Pulses production in India:
- Season – Cultivated in both Kharif and Rabi
- Production – India is the largest global pulse producer (25%)
- Consumption and Import – 27% of world consumption and 14% of import
- Varieties – Chickpea and Pigeon Pea constitute 60% of all pulses, both by area cultivated and by production
- Leading states – Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and UP
- Target – Self-sufficiency in pulses by 2027.
- Important initiatives –
- National Food Security Mission – Pulses
- Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for Pulses.
- Rainfed Area Development Programme
- Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm & Maize, etc
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
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.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is incorrect. According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), the share of pulse production in 2018- 19 was comprised of Tur (15.34%), Gram (43.29%), Moong (green gram,10.04%), Urad (black gram, 13.93%), Lentil (6.67%), and Other Pulses (10%).
Statement 3 is incorrect. In the last three decades, both, the production of kharif pulses and the production of rabi pulses have increased.
