A Delhi-based Krishi Anusandhan and Kisan Vikas (KAKV) Foundation report warns of a crisis without increased productivity. India, a significant pulse player, contributes a quarter of global output and consumes 27%. Shortfalls raise inflation fears. The report explores global politics, citing disputes with Canada and China’s African interventions as potential pulse crises.
Why Pulse Production Is Boon and Bane
India’s pulse power is both a boon and a bane. It is the largest producer and consumer globally but succumbs to being the largest importer, constituting 14% of worldwide imports. In 2023, India produced 26.8 million tonnes of pulses, yet a looming 8-million-tonne shortfall by 2030 looms. Pulses, occupying 23% of the agricultural area, contribute 10% to total foodgrain production.
Doubling Down for Self-Sufficiency In Pulses
The report’s clarion call is clear — self-sufficiency remains a distant dream without a productivity focus. India’s pulses seed research trails even African benchmarks. It necessitates a doubling of average productivity. Despite leading in pigeon pea production, India’s yield pales compared to some African nations. The report supports studying high-yielding models in China and Israel for vital lessons.
GM Pulses – A Genetic Shield Against Risks
To battle pod borer attacks and diseases like fusarium wilt and yellow mosaic virus, the report urges a push for genetically modified (GM) pulses. Hybrid pigeon peas present opportunities, yet seed scarcity remains a bottleneck. The report proposes robust seed production programs and highlights the need for disease-resistant chickpea varieties.
A Bottom-Up Approach To Mitigate The Risks
A bottom-up intervention is the report’s mantra in the middle of the challenges. Risk mitigation strategies, irrigation access, quality seeds, and improved agronomy instill farmer confidence. The report cautions against mirroring cereals’ success in pulses, citing high input costs, low profitability, and crop failure. Diversification policies face scrutiny, with solutions ranging from higher minimum support prices to targeted schemes in specific regions.
Pulse Fortification for Climate Mitigation
The report spotlights aggressive pulse promotion in Central India’s rain-fed regions as a climate-change mitigation strategy. Urgent investments in micro-irrigation infrastructure are critical for fortifying pulse-based cropping systems.
Conclusion
India stands at the crossroads of pulse production, facing the critical challenge of bolstering productivity. The KAKV Foundation’s report highlights the urgency. It also highlights potential crises tied to global disputes. While India boasts pulse expertise, it grapples with the paradox of being a top producer, consumer, and importer. The clarion call for self-sufficiency echoes, demanding a doubled focus on productivity. Thus, learning from global models and embracing genetic modifications becomes crucial.
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