Report pitches for pulses in PDS basket

A FTCCI initiative, it moots measures to enhance production, processing, consumption

A report on pulses by a leading trade and industry federation has mooted a multi-pronged approach to increase their production, processing and consumption in Telangana, including promoting cultivation on fallow lands, making pulses part of public distribution system and fine tuning support to the farmers. Telangana government should include pulses in PDS as it would help small farmers gradually diversify from paddy to pulses, the report on ‘Pulses: Opportunities & Way Forward’ of the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry said. It said this citing how completion of Kaleshwaram Major Irrigation Project – resulting in 18.24 lakh acres brought under irrigation facility – coupled with government support to paddy growers by way of public procurement and minimum support price (MSP) has brought in major changes in cropping pattern. “The availability of water made farmers switch to water intensive crops like paddy and wheat and also other commercial crops,” the report said. The area under pulses in the State is showing a decreasing trend. From 7.69 lakh hectares in 2005-06, it declined to 5.05 lakh hectares in 2018-19, the document said.