Production of pulses to be increased to address deficit

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 16 NOV.: To increase the production of pulses and to extend its area, the agriculture department in Malda has selected Barind belt, comprising four blocks, under national food security mission (NFSM).

The development officers of agriculture department have stressed on the cultivation of khesari (lathyrus), which requires minimal production cost, in aman paddy field, in this belt.

During training programme for the farmers, they have suggested that khesari seeds be sown in the aman paddy field just before harvesting of paddy and explained that scientifically it would be alright to do so and the pulses would grow fine.

Without affecting the traditional crops, the department has planned to cultivate pulses in Char lands on the banks of the Ganga in Manikchak and its adjoining areas in this district.

To attract the farmers to the demonstration, the agriculture officials are trying to spread the word that on the basis of ‘cost benefit ratio,’ cultivation of pulses is more profitable than the boro paddy cultivation.

Under the NFSM, the department has set up programmes for supplying improved varieties of pulse seeds, balanced fertilizers including organic materials and micro-nutrient.

To improve soil health, the department has planned to neutralise the acidity of the soil in Barind belt comprising Old Malda, Habibpur, Gazole and Bamongola blocks.

But the department is facing problems in procuring the required improved quality pulse seeds from reputed institutions including Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, despite several reminders.

“We did not get improved seeds from IIP Research, Kanpur, despite several requests. At present we are collecting improved seeds from the state seed corporation and cultivating pulses in our farm houses to increase volume of improved seeds”, said Mr. Soumendra Nath Das, sub-divisional officer (technical) of the Malda agriculture department.

It may be noted that the Malda district has come under NFSM, in order to expand the area of pulses production and to increase its rate of production by 4 per cent every year.

This increase in production is very crucial because, according to the government report, the district produces 15,874 metric ton pulses every year but it requires more than 48,093 MT pulses per year.

The department has targeted to increase production of pulses from 638.13 kg to 663.13 kg per hector of land in this district.