Will Shivraj Singh Chouhan Lead a National Seminar on Pulses in Sehore?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bhopal, Feb 6 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is set to preside over the National Pulses Conference at the Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) located in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh, specifically in Amlaha. This initiative is tailored to expedite India's journey towards 'self-reliance' in pulses.
The event will kick off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and will feature Chief Minister Mohan Yadav as a special guest.
Officials have confirmed the attendance of Agriculture Ministers from several key pulses-producing states, including Odisha, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
The focus will revolve around the “National Mission for Pulses Self-Reliance”, engaging in thorough discussions aimed at boosting production and productivity, enhancing seed quality, adding value to pulses, and increasing farmers' income.
Participants will comprise scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), farmers, farmer producer organizations, seed producers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
During the event, Union Minister Chouhan and Chief Minister Yadav will jointly inaugurate advanced research laboratories and training amenities at FLRP, a leading center dedicated to pulses research.
The Minister will also examine current field trials and engage with farmers to comprehend on-ground challenges.
A significant aspect of the conference will be the unveiling of the specialized “Pulses Mission portal”, designed as a digital platform for real-time tracking of production, procurement, and distribution under the initiative.
Moreover, improved high-yielding varieties of pigeon pea, chickpea, lentil, and various other pulses developed by ICAR institutes will be officially launched and distributed to progressive farmers during the conference.
Officials indicated that this initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of achieving 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in pulses, ensuring prosperous farmers and a protein-secure nation.
Despite being the world’s leading producer, India currently imports a substantial volume of pulses. The mission aims for complete self-sufficiency by 2027 through area expansion, productivity improvement, and better price realization for farmers.
The Sehore conference is anticipated to finalize a time-sensitive action plan involving both Central and state governments to meet these ambitious objectives.