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Technology Mission on Pulses |
Productivity Enhancement Availability of quality seeds Non-availability of quality seeds in adequate quantity is one of the major constraints in pulse production. The seed replacement rate is very low (2 to 5%).
Integrated pest/disease management On an average, 20-40% crop is annually lost due to damage caused by pod borers in pigeonpea and chickpea. Pod fly also causes 10-15% loss especially in north India. Wilt and root rots cause heavy loss to pigeonpea and chickpea crops. Effective IPM module is available for management of targeted pest and diseases.
Integrated nutrient management In recent years, wide spread deficiency of sulphur and zinc has been noticed in pulse growing regions, which constrains productivity of pulses. In the major pulse growing areas, 44 districts have shown 40-60% sulphur deficiency and 82 districts with 50-60% zinc deficiency. Very encouraging response to application of S and Zn has been found with cost benefit ratio of 10-21%. About 40% pulse growing regions have low to medium population of native rhizobium. Seed inoculation with biofertilizer (Rhizobium and PSB) - low cost inputs - can increase pulse productivity by 10-12%. Lack of quality culture in adequate quantity is one of the major constraints in popularization of biofertilizers.
Technology transfer Transfer of improved pulse production technologies remains the most neglected component in the past, and consequently the benefit of improved varieties and production technology could not be harnessed.
Farm Implements Poor drainage/water stagnation during rainy season causes heavy losses to pigeonpea on account of low plant stand and increased incidence of Phytophthora particularly in the states of U.P., Bihar, W.B., Chattisgarh, M.P. and Jharkhand. Ridge planting has been found very effective in ensuring optimal plant stand and consequently higher yield. A simple ridger already available can effectively be used for this purpose.
Protective irrigation About 87% area under pulses is rainfed and consequently pulses face severe moisture stress with low productivity. Quantum jump in productivity can be achieved by applying come up/life saving irrigation especially in rabi pulses grown on residual moisture. Sprinkler irrigation can be used for most efficient use of scarce irrigation water.
Area Expansion
Post Harvest Management Pulses suffer heavy losses due to stored grain pests. The quality of seeds stored in the traditional storage structures also deteriorates. Further, there are no small processing units to convert pulse grains into Dal and other byproducts. This compels the growers to dispose of their produce immediately after harvest at low price. Low cost IIPR dal mill and metal storage bins are available which need to be popularized.
Others
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