PULSE MISSION - ECONOMY

PULSE MISSION - ECONOMY

NEWS: The United Nations (UN), through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has been observing World Pulses Day annually on February 10 since 2018.

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

  • This initiative aims to highlight the importance of pulses in food security, sustainable agriculture, and nutritional well-being.
  • The theme for World Pulses Day 2025 is “Pulses: Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems”. This theme emphasizes the crucial role that pulses play in enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, and ensuring food security for a growing global population.
  • To support pulse production and reduce dependency on imports, the Government of India has launched a ₹1,000 crore “Pulse Mission”. This six-year initiative is designed to boost domestic pulse production and achieve self-sufficiency in key pulse varieties.

 

Pulse Mission: Key Takeaways

  • The Pulse Mission focuses on increasing the production of three key pulse crops in India:
    1. Tur (Arhar/Pigeonpea)
    2. Urad (Mash/Black gram)
    3. Masoor (Lentils)
  • Implementation Strategy:

NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) will be the key agencies responsible for procurement.

These agencies will procure pulses directly from registered farmers for a period of four years.

Farmers are encouraged to register with these procurement agencies to benefit from assured pricing and market access.

 

Climatic & Soil Requirements for Pigeonpea (Tur/Arhar) Cultivation

Importance of Pigeonpea (Tur/Arhar):

  • Pigeonpea is one of India’s oldest cultivated crops and holds immense economic and nutritional value.
  • It is the second most important pulse crop after chickpea (gram).
  • The split version of the pulse, commonly known as ‘dal,’ is a staple in Indian households and serves as an affordable protein source.

 

Climatic Conditions:

  • Pigeonpea is predominantly grown in semi-arid tropical regions of India.
  • The crop requires:

·         26°C–30°C temperatures during the rainy season (June to October) for optimal growth.

·         17°C–22°C temperatures during the post-rainy season (November to March) for good pod development.

 

Soil Requirements:

  • Black cotton soils are best suited for pigeonpea cultivation due to their moisture-retention ability, which helps the crop survive during dry spells.
  • It can also be grown in loamy and well-drained alluvial soils, though moisture availability is critical.

 

Challenges and Diseases:

  • Pigeonpea is highly sensitive to low solar radiation during pod formation. If flowering occurs during cloudy monsoon conditions, pod formation is adversely affected, leading to lower yields.
  • Common diseases affecting pigeonpea include:

·         Wilt disease – Causes plant death.

·         Sterility mosaic disease – Reduces seed setting and pod yield.

·         Phytophthora blight – Leads to stem and root rotting.

·         Alternaria blight and powdery mildew – Affect leaves and reduce plant vigor.

 

Major Producing States in India (as per ICAR-IIPR):

  • Uttar Pradesh – Leading producer with 0.47 million tonnes from 0.49 million hectares (34.87% of national production).
  • Madhya Pradesh – Second-largest producer, contributing 34.55% to national production.
  • West Bengal (10.53%), Bihar (8.84%), and Jharkhand (4.53%) also contribute significantly to total production.

 

International Trade and Imports:

  • India imports large quantities of pigeonpea (tur/arhar) due to domestic demand exceeding supply.
  • Mozambique is the largest supplier of pigeonpea to India, exporting 2.64 lakh tons in 2023-24, which accounted for one-third of India’s total pigeonpea imports (7.71 lakh tons).
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mozambique:

·         India has signed an agreement to import 2 lakh tons of pigeonpea annually until 2025-26, ensuring a stable supply.

  • MoU with Malawi:

·         India has a separate agreement to import 0.50 lakh tons of pigeonpea from Malawi each year.

Nutritional Value of Pigeonpea:

  • Rich in protein and carbohydrates, making it an essential dietary component.
  • Contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron, which are crucial for bone health and overall well-being.
  • Low in fat but energy-dense, making it a nutritious choice for balanced diets.

 

Climatic & Soil Requirements for Urad (Mash/Black Gram) Cultivation

Importance of Urad (Black Gram):

  • Widely consumed in India, primarily in the form of dal or perched preparations.
  • Improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen (42 kg/ha/year), making it an important rotational crop.

 

Climatic Conditions:

  • Thrives in tropical climates, preferring hot and humid weather.
  • Seasonal Variations:

·         Northern India – Grown mainly during rainy and summer seasons.

·         Eastern India – Also cultivated during winter.

·         Central & Southern India – Can be cultivated in both winter and rainy seasons.

 

Soil Requirements:

  • Adaptable to various soil types, including sandy and heavy cotton soils.
  • The ideal soil type is well-drained loam with a pH of 6.5 to 7.8.
  • Cannot tolerate alkaline or saline soils.

 

Major Producing States in India (as per ICAR-IIPR):

  • Madhya Pradesh – Largest cultivation area (24%).
  • Uttar Pradesh (10%) and Maharashtra (7%) are also key contributors.
  • Highest Productivity:

·         Andhra Pradesh (915 kg/ha).

·         Jharkhand (879 kg/ha).

 

Nutritional Value of Urad:

  • High in protein, carbohydrates, and essential minerals (calcium, phosphorus, and iron).
  • Helps in improving hemoglobin levels and strengthening bones.
  • Low in fat but high in energy, making it a nutritious choice.

 

Climatic & Soil Requirements for Masoor (Lentils) Cultivation

Importance of Lentils (Masoor):

  • Second most important rabi pulse crop after chickpea.
  • Highly nutritious, easy to cook, and easily digestible.

Climatic Conditions:

  • Requires a cold climate during vegetative growth and a warm climate at maturity.
  • Temperature Tolerance:

·         18°C–30°C optimal growth range.

·         Can tolerate frost and severe winters.

 

Major Producing States in India:

  • Uttar Pradesh – Largest producer, contributing 36.43% to national production.
  • Madhya Pradesh (34.55%), West Bengal (10.53%), Bihar (8.84%), and Jharkhand (4.50%) are also significant producers.

 

Nutritional Value of Lentils:

  • Rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and essential minerals like potassium, zinc, and iron.
  • Used in food processing (dal, flour, savory items).

 

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)

Key Features of PMDDKY:

  • Launched in Union Budget 2025 to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability.
  • Focuses on crop diversification, post-harvest storage, irrigation, and credit availability.
  • Implemented across 100 districts in its first phase in collaboration with state governments.

 

Conclusion:

  • Pulses are vital for India’s food security and soil health.
  • Government initiatives like the Pulse Mission and PMDDKY will help reduce import dependency.
  • Addressing climatic, disease, and market challenges is crucial for improving productivity and sustainability.

 

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/knowledge-nugget-pulses-tur-urad-masoor-pulse-mission-upsc-2025-exam-9825474/