The Karnataka government has launched accelerated pulses production programme (APPP) in six districts during the present kharif season. The programme, launched for the first time by the state under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM Pulses 2010-11), a Centrally-sponsored programme, is aimed at increasing pulses’ productivity 20-25 per cent annually. Karnataka is among the 14 states in the country to launch the programme under NFSM.
Presently, Karnataka’s annual production of pulses is pegged at 1.1 million tonnes. For the present kharif season, the state has set a target to sow pulses over 1.51 million hectares, a growth of 10 per cent over the last year. The production is estimated to be in excess of 637,000 tonnes in the kharif season. As on August 6, 2010, the sowing has been completed on 1.32 million hectares, achieving a 88 per cent of the target.
The Centre has released Rs 20.25 crore for the state under the programme for increasing production and productivity of pulses in Bidar, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bijapur, Gadag and Dharwad districts. The programme would cover 38,000 hectares across six districts in the present kharif season.
“This is the first time that the state government has launched the programme in the state. We wish to cover 100 per cent small and marginal farmers under the programme,” officials in the state agriculture department said. Under the programme, it is proposed to increase the average productivity to 7.5 quintals per hectare from the existing six quintals per hectare.
The department has set a target of reaching 40,000 farmers in six districts by giving kits containing critical inputs including micronutrients, phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB), plant protection chemicals, urea for foliar spray (a method of applying pesticides or liquid nutrients as droplets to plant leaves), free of cost for a minimum area of one acre. The Karnataka State Seeds Corporation would supply kits containing all required nutrients, the officials said.
Under Accelerated Pulses Production Programme, the department of agriculture would demonstrate plant nutrient management and plant protection centric improved technologies and management practices to farmers. Various pulse crops like tur, bengalgram, horsegram, blackgram, greengram, cowpea, avare, mothbean will be covered under the programme for increasing production and productivity, officials in the department told Business Standard.
Pulses are grown over 23.26 million hectares in India leading to an annual production of about 15 million tonnes, which amounts to about 25 per cent of world’s production of pulses.
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According to the officials one of the key constraints contributing to low productivity of pulse crops is inadequate extension services at the farm level. Under the programme, the department aims to extend technical know-how to farmers by farm experts and extension officers.
A3P has been conceptualised to take up the active propagation of key technologies such as Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), protective irrigation with micro and sprinkler sets, training of farmers by scientists among others to assure farmers of the higher returns from the identified pulse crops. It is also aimed at formation of commodity groups, credit support and micro finance with Nabard and market support through NCDEX and educational tours among others.