Barely a year after India had a record pulses production of over 18 million tonnes, the country faces a deficiency. Remedial measures are needed during the coming rabi sowing season as pulses output in the kharif season is projected to drop by 10 per cent to 6.43 million tonnes. Output during last year’s kharif season was 7.12 million tonnes.
Production of coarse cereals is projected at 30.42 million tonnes, down from 32.43 million tonnes in the same period last year.
On pulses, Pawar said that all efforts would be made to improve harvest during the rabi season by bringing an additional 1 million hectares under pulses and if needed, the option of imports could also be explored.