A national-level conference was organized under the National Pulses Self-Reliance Mission in Amalaha, Sehore. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared the mission, portal launch and strategy to make farmers self-reliant.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan inaugurated the ‘National Level Consultation and Strategy Conference’ organized under the National Pulses Self-Reliance Mission at Amalaha in Sehore district. On this occasion, the newly constructed administrative building, training center and state-of-the-art plant tissue culture laboratory of International Arid Area Agricultural Research Center (ICARDA), Sehore were also inaugurated.
Under the National Pulses Mission, a budget of Rs 354 crore has been approved for Madhya Pradesh. During the event, Pulses Mission Portal was launched and farmers making innovations and special contributions in the agriculture sector, including expansion of organic farming, were felicitated. The Chief Minister and the Union Minister also visited the agricultural research and product based exhibition. Senior officials of the Union Agriculture Ministry and Agriculture Ministers of various states participated in this conference.
Madhya Pradesh’s fertile land and favorable climate are our biggest strength: CM Dr. Mohan Yadav
Addressing the program, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh’s fertile land, rich water resources and favorable climate are the biggest strengths of the state. The strengthening of an international research institute like ICARDA is a matter of pride for the state.
He said that in India, food is not just a means of production but is the basis of life, culture and values. “Anna Devo Bhava” is the basic mantra of our agricultural tradition. The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is celebrating ‘Farmers’ Welfare Year’ and under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government standing with the farmers ‘from seed to market’ has started the National Pulses Self-Reliance Mission.
The objective of this mission is to increase pulses production to 350 lakh tonnes by the year 2030-31, reduce dependence on imports and increase the income of farmers. Under the mission, farmers will get facilities of improved seeds, modern storage and assured marketing. He said that India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world and Madhya Pradesh ranks first in the country in pulses production, due to which the farmers of the state will get the maximum benefit of this mission.
Madhya Pradesh is India’s food basket: CM Mohan Yadav
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is the food basket of India. In Indian culture, society is nourished through Annadevta. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has described poor, farmers, youth and women welfare as the priority categories for the development of the country.
He said that the challenges have increased due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers in modern farming, but Prime Minister Modi has always kept the interests of farmers paramount. Pulses are a daily requirement of every Indian family and its demand-consumption shows that more work needs to be done in the pulses sector. The Chief Minister said that the Madhya Pradesh government, in collaboration with the Central Government, will rapidly increase the production of pulses and will provide full support in every effort to make the country self-reliant in pulses.
Madhya Pradesh is leading in pulses production: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Sharbati wheat of Sehore is making its mark in the world. Farmers will get huge benefits from export of Basmati rice, spices and textiles. He said that it is necessary to make the country self-reliant in pulses and importing pulses from abroad is not in the national interest.
He said that except moong, the production of other pulses has decreased, which needs to be increased. Madhya Pradesh is still the leader in pulses production. Farmers should adopt crop rotation with wheat, soybean and paddy. Production of pulses like gram, lentils, urad and tibra will be promoted. Improved seeds will be developed through ICARDA.
To provide fair prices to the farmers, 1000 pulse mills will be established across the country, out of which 55 will be in Madhya Pradesh. The Union Minister said that the Central Government will provide full support to every effort of the State Government under the Farmer Welfare Year.