ANNUAL GROUP MEET KICKS OFF AT PAU - PULSE PRODUCTION RECORDS 17.2 M TONS IN INDIA
Date: May 12, 2011
LUDHIANA, MAY 11:
A three-day “Annual Group Meet of All India Coordinated Research Project on MULLaRP (Mungbean, Urdbean, Lentil, Lathyrus and Rajmah, Project),” jointly organized by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur, kicked off here today. Scientists from different State Agricultural Universities, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes and private seed companies participated in the meet.
Speaking on this occasion, the chief guest Dr R.K.Mahey, Registrar, PAU, divulged that globally about 60 million (m) tons of pulses are produced annually and India is the largest producer and consumers of pulses in the world. In India, pulses occupy an area of 23.35 m ha and production is around 14.6 m tons with average yield of 625 kg/ha. Dr Mahey further revealed that Punjab requires 5 lakh tons pulses per annum but total production is around 70 thousand tons. Emphasizing that private industry and processing units should be encouraged for manufacturing machines for pulse cultivation and processing of the crops, he said that insurance policy will encourage farmers for their cultivation as pulse cultivation involves risks. Rightly called as “Unique jewels of crop husbandry,” he highlighted that the landmark variety of mungbean SML 668, developed by PAU, has become popular among the farmers and added that a Kharif season urdbean variety ‘Mash 479’ was released for cultivation in NWPZ in 2010.
Dr N. Nadarajan, Director, IIPR, Kanpur, in his remarks, hailed the excellence of PAU in pulses research and development and added that there were more expectations from PAU regarding pulse varieties and technology. Mungbean and Urdbean, being the important pulse crops, are cultivated over a wide range of agro-climatic zones of the country. He disclosed, “due to the efforts of ICAR, pulse researchers and farmers, pulse production in India has touched the record of 17.2 m tons.” Dr Nadarajan stressed on the need to focus on researchable issues such as broadening of genetic base in mungbean and urdbean, development of high yielding varieties with high yield (1.5-2.0 t/ha) and multiple resistance to diseases, refinement of production technologies for different cropping seasons and development of integrated pest management (IPM) modules against key insect pests.
Presenting an overview of “pulses seed production status in India”, Dr J.S Sandhu, Assistant Director General (Seed), ICAR, expressed concern over the inadequate seed multiplication and seed replacement rate. Stating that some old varieties are still in the field that have reduced their yield potential and resistance to pests and diseases, Dr Sandhu stressed on the introduction of new pulse varieties. Mungbean and urdbean are accommodating crops and quality of these food crops must be maintained, said he, while appreciating the technology and techniques of PAU.
Dwelling on the researchable issues, Dr S.S.Gosal, Director of Research, PAU, highlighted PAU has released 53 varieties of pulses and has played a prominent role in developing production and protection technologies which have been well adopted by the farmers. Due to the burgeoning population and rising prices, there is a growing demand for the pulses, said Dr Gosal while adding that there is an urgent need to combat with problem of climate change and global warming which are not only affecting crops but are also posing threat to the food security. Mungbean and urdbean pulse crops are maintained in Punjab but the need of the hour is to develop varieties which require less water and are responsive to inputs.
Chairing the inaugural session, Dr B.B. Singh, Assistant Director General ( Oilseeds and Pulses), ICAR, said that the two crops, mungbean and urdbean , hold great potentiality at national level due to their cultivation across the length and breadth of the country but the fluctuating prices need to be addressed through providing better marketing and procurement facilities. Remarking that national program on pulses is very strong, he stressed on the development of integrated crop management (ICM) modules and added that front line demonstrations (FLDs) need to devised with full technology packages.
Two technical sessions were held where deliberations on crop improvement, production and protection of these two pulse crops were held. The scientists from different centres of the coordinated programme interacted with the experts in relation to finalizing technical programmes for the future.
Earlier, Dr D.S. Cheema, Dean, College of Agriculture, PAU, welcoming the chief guest, delegates and participants, said that Punjab desperately needs an agricultural diversification and that pulses are ideal for the same. Biotic stresses of pests and diseases and increasing prices of pulses are the prime concerns, he said adding that pulses provide sources of nutrition, have high food value and play a role to alleviate malnutrition of poor masses. Dr. Cheema said that growing pulses help improve soil condition through biological nitrogen fixation.
Dr Manjit Singh Gill, Head, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, proposing the vote of thanks, said that Punjab has made significant strides in pulse production and that summer moong cultivation has brought a ‘mini revolution’ and now there was a need for the quantum jump in pulse production.
The dignitaries were shown around an exhibition of farm machinery relevant to pulses growing. On this occasion Dr. B.B. Singh and Dr. J.S. Sandhu were honored with the presentation of mementoes and shawls by Dr. Mahey. The College of Agriculture students presented an invocation shabad that marked the beginning of the event.
