Context: 

The Global Pulses Conference 2024, (an annual event) is being held in New Delhi.

About Global Pulses Conference 2024

• Organized by: National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC). 

Observations of the Global Pulses Conference 2024

• Self-sufficiency by 2027: India had become self-reliant in chickpeas (chana) and many other pulses crops, with only a slight deficiency remaining in pigeon peas (tur) and black gram. 
• Decadal Growth: Pulses production had grown by 60% from 171 lakh tonnes in 2014 to 270 lakh tonnes in 2024.
• Minimum Support Price: The Centre had assured a price of 50% over the actual cost of production to farmers, thereby providing an attractive return on investment.
  • The MSP is the highest today with increases as high as 117% in masoor, 90% in moong, 75% more in chana dal, 60% more in toor and urad over the MSP provided a decade ago. 
• Efforts: The government has increased the supply of new varieties of seeds, while also focusing on expanding cultivation of tur and black gram. 
• Significance of Pulse Crops: It benefits the soil, and is nutritious and benefits the smallholding farmers.  If India takes efforts to improve cultivation, all the stakeholders will get the benefits. 

Pulses Production In India: Current Status

• Pulses are annual leguminous crops or seeds of variable size, shape and color used for both food and feed. 
• India’s Ranking: India is the largest producer (25% of global production), consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
• As per the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, total Pulses production during 2022-23 is estimated at 260.58 Lakh tonnes which is higher by 14.02 Lakh tonnes than the last five years’ average pulses production of 246.56 Lakh tonnes. 

News Source: The Hindu

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