Lucknow: The country and the State should become self-sufficient in the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, this is the intention of the Modi government at the Center and the Yogi government in the state. Continuous efforts are also made for this. In the coming years, the State will be self-sufficient in legumes and oilseeds. Due to the balance between supply and demand, neither the pulses on the common man’s plate will become thin nor the oil will boil.
On the initiative of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Agriculture Department has prepared a comprehensive four-year action plan (2023-24 to 2026-27) in this regard. During this period, approximately Rs 236 crore will be spent on implementation of the scheme. This includes free distribution of mini seed kits of pulses and oil crops, demonstrations by progressive farmers and provision of information on advanced farming methods by experts through Kisan Pathshalas.
Crops for which mini kits are being delivered
Under the scheme, mini seed kits of pulses and oil crops are provided free of charge to the farmers of the concerned area within the stipulated period according to the different agricultural climate of the state. In this sequence, urad, moong, pigeon pea, gram, peas and lentils have been selected for pulse crops. Oilseed crops include sesame, peanuts, mustard/mustard and flaxseed.
UP Agri Scheme will also be helpful
The UP Agri Plan, managed with the help of the World Bank, will also be helpful in making the State self-sufficient in pulses and oilseeds. In particular, there is a plan to develop a group to promote groundnut cultivation in Jhansi and its adjoining areas.
Farmers should learn by observing; For this, emphasis will be placed on demonstration.
There will also be demonstrations in the fields of progressive farmers so that they can learn about improved cultivation of these crops by observing the farmers. Apart from this, at Kisan Pathshala, experts will also inform farmers about improved disease and pest resistant varieties, field preparation, sowing methods, crop protection measures and storage. Its objective is to increase production in the same proportion as the surface area.
The work began on the instructions of CM Yogi immediately after the second trimester.
Immediately after his second term (April 2022), CM Yogi had directed in a review meeting to prepare a comprehensive plan to make the State self-sufficient in pulses and oilseeds production in the next five years. Since then work also began on it. To this end, the allocation of certified and basic seeds was increased. Farmers were informed about intercropping pulses and oilseeds with major Rabi-Kharif crops, border sowing and sowing pulses and oilseeds using micro-irrigation means on uneven land. Now the government has drawn up a comprehensive action plan in this regard.
Compared to demand, production of oilseeds and pulses is about 35 and 45 percent respectively.
At present, only 30 to 35 percent of edible oils are produced in the state and 40 to 45 percent of pulses. Whenever there is a slight imbalance in the supply and demand of pulses and oilseeds, the maximum demand comes from India due to its high population. Due to this demand, exporting countries raise prices internationally. Uttar Pradesh is significantly affected by this due to its population and consumption. The price increase appears in the media headlines. After becoming self-sufficient in pulses and oilseed crops, this will not be possible if there is a balance between supply and demand.
The center also receives full help
Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in the country in terms of population. In such a situation, the supply and demand here affects not only the country’s markets but also the world’s markets. In such a situation, Uttar Pradesh would definitely remain the center of any plan. In such a situation, Uttar Pradesh gets maximum benefit.
For the first time within the framework of the pilot project, contract farming will be carried out for these crops.
It may be noted that recently, for the first time, the Central Government signed an agreement for contract farming as a pilot project. This agreement has been signed by the apex organization National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF) with some farmers from Jharkhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. If the project is successful, it will be expanded to other states as well. Pigeon pea is the most consumed pulse crop among pulse crops, so the central government has selected 35 districts for pigeon pea cultivation and 18 districts for promoting urad cultivation. The Yogi government is already implementing the Pulse Village Scheme focusing on Bundekhand for promotion of pulse crops. About two years ago, the Central Government had implemented the One District, One Product Plan in agriculture as well. It also included one or more districts for a crop. Under this, Chitrakoot, Mahoba, Hamirpur and Sonbhadra were selected for gram cultivation.
