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Chouhan: India Buying Pulses From Abroad Is "A Matter Of Shame"

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed deep concern and shame over India's need to import pulses due to chronically low domestic production. He attributed the decline to farmers shifting to more profitable crops like soyabean and wheat, leading to a reduced cultivation area even in top-producing states like Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan announced a new national mission with a ₹1,800 crore package to incentivize pulse cultivation, developed in consultation with state ministers. Emphasizing a grassroots approach, he pledged that future farm policies would be formulated by consulting farmers directly in their fields.

Key Points: India's Pulse Import Shame, Says Minister Chouhan

  • Low pulse production forces imports
  • Farmers prefer soyabean & wheat
  • ₹1,800 crore national roadmap announced
  • Policy to be made in fields, not AC rooms
  • Madhya Pradesh leads but area shrinking
3 min read

Matter of concern if India purchases pulses from other countries: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan calls low pulse production a national shame, announces ₹1,800 crore mission to boost domestic farming.

"If India has to buy pulses from abroad, it is a matter of not just concern, but a shame for all of us. - Shivraj Singh Chouhan"

Sehore, Feb 7

Union Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Saturday, expressed his concern over continuous low production of pulses across the country and called for an immediate attention from all the states and concerned authorities, including farmers.

Union Minister Chouhan said that continuous low production of pulses by the farmers for the last few years have forced the government to purchase pulses from foreign countries.

"If India has to buy pulses from abroad, it is a matter of not just concern, but a shame for all of us," the Union Minister said while addressing the gathering of the Agriculture Ministers of several states, who arrived to participate in the national seminar on pulses in Madhya Pradesh's Sehore on Saturday.

Addressing the welcoming ceremony, which was also attended by a large number of local farmers, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and other Cabinet Ministers from the state, Union Minister Chouhan said that for the last few years, farmers have shown a greater inclination towards cultivating soybeans, rice and wheat.

"There are many reasons why farmers are preferring to cultivate more and more soyabean, wheat and other foodgrains. Farmers are not cultivating pulses because of low income from it and low production. Today, we will discuss all these issues to find out a way to encourage our farmers," the Union Minister added.

However, Union Minister Chouhan praised his home state of Madhya Pradesh, saying that despite overall decline in production of pulse grains, the state still stood at first position.

"Madhya Pradesh has maintained its position in production of pulses, but the area of cultivation has drastically decreased, which is also a worry for all of us," he said.

Meanwhile, Union Minister also announced that after the conference, a national roadmap for increasing pulse production would be prepared after consultations with the Agriculture Ministers of all the states.

"Under this mission, a package of total 1,800 crore will be given to the states and Madhya Pradesh will be allocated an amount of Rs 354 crore," he said.

Before the ceremonial address, Union Minister Chouhan interacted with farmers, who arrived from different parts of the country, and listened to their concerns sitting on a wooden cot at an agricultural land and said that now the policies related with farming will be made with consultation of farmers at agricultural fields, and not sitting in AC rooms.

During the conversation, farmers were allowed to share their experiences on organic and chemical farming, and the challenges they face.

More than a dozen farmers -- both men and women from different states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra shared their experiences, and many of them appealed for support from the Union government.

During the discussion, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tried to understand if farmers preferred an organic system of farming, its benefits and the challenges.

The Union Minister also tried to know what preventive measures the farmers use to protect their crops from insects.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good that he sat with farmers on a *khatiya* (cotton bed) to listen. Policies made in AC rooms never reach the ground. But words are not enough. We need a permanent, profitable solution for pulse growers. The price volatility is too high, one bad season and they are ruined. 🇮🇳
A
Aditya G
While I appreciate the concern, calling it a "shame" is a bit harsh on our farmers. They are rational actors. If pulses don't pay the bills, they will grow what does. The government needs to create the ecosystem—better seeds, irrigation, and guaranteed procurement. Blame won't help.
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows nutrition, this is alarming. Pulses are a vital protein source for millions of Indians, especially vegetarians. Relying on imports makes our food security vulnerable. Hope the national roadmap includes promoting millets and pulses together for crop diversity.
K
Karthik V
MP gets ₹354 crore? That's nearly 20% of the total package! While MP is a top producer, other states need support too to catch up. The focus should be on states where cultivation area has fallen the most. We need a pan-India push, not just rewarding the already best.
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Meera T
My father is a farmer in Rajasthan. He stopped growing moong and urad because the market price crashes every harvest season. The government's procurement is minimal. If they are serious, they must assure us they will buy our produce at a good price. Talk is cheap, action is needed.

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