1. Achieving self sufficiency in pulse production in India: What will it take?
RK Varshney
Research Program Director- Grain Legumes, ICRISAT
on behalf of Team from ICRISAT in collaboration with
ICAR and other key organizations from India

2. Major pulse crops in India

3. Trends in area, production and yield of pulses

4. Key pulse growing states
Area
(Lakh ha)
Production
(Lakh ton)
Yield
(Kg/ha)
Andhra Pradesh
16.72
15.51
928
Bihar
5.00
5.22
1044
Chattisgarh
8.39
4.82
574
Gujarat
8.13
7.29
897
Jharkhand
5.66
5.78
1021
Karnataka
24.98
16.00
641
Madhya Pradesh
53.95
46.44
861
Maharashtra
39.53
31.69
802
Odisha
7.80
4.19
587
Rajasthan
41.97
24.90
593
Tamil Nadu
8.15
6.13
752
Uttar Pradesh
23.05
16.97
736
West Bengal
2.86
2.41
843
Others
5.92
10.48
1770
Total
252.11
197.83
785

5. Volatility in pulse production

6. Price rise of pulses in just 1 yr
timesofindia.indiatimes.com

7. Some success stories in pulses
Chickpea revolution Andhra Pradesh
Summer mungbean
Hybrid
pigeonpea
Blackgram revolution

8. Impacts of early maturing chickpea varieties

9. Projections for 2050 Current Population of India ~ 1.21 billion
Expected population by ~ 1.69 billion
Current per capita availability 37 g/capita/day
ICMR recommendation g/capita/day
Present demand g./capita/day) 28 mt
Projected demand in mt
32 mt (consumption) mt PHL, seeds,
Projected demand @ 52g for 1.69 billion
(28x1.69)/1.21= 32 mt

10. Why we need self sufficiency in pulse production?
On average, over the last three years Indians consumed approximately 22 million tonnes of pulses per annum but produced only 18 million tonnes, leaving a shortfall of 4 million tonnes.
Pulse self-sufficiency means food security, greater wealth for Indian farmers and a more favourable balance of trade for the nation. 
Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is a major public health problem in India. The prevalence of stunting among under fives is 48% and wasting is 19.8% and with an underweight prevalence of %, it is the highest in the world. 
Pulses (chickpea, pigeonpea, lentils, urdbean and mungbean) are an important component of the human diet in India, especially given that the majority of the population are vegetarian. On average, over the last three years Indian’s consumed approximately 22 million tonnes of pulses per annum but produced only 18 million tonnes, leaving a shortfall of 4 million tonnes. This shortfall is met through imports. Pulse self-sufficiency means food security, greater wealth for Indian farmers and a more favourable balance of trade for the nation.
In the short term the objective is to make up the four million tonne pulse shortfall. But of course in the longer term as the Indian population grows there will be even greater pressure on food and pulse production. The interventions needed to meet this shortfall fit into three broad categories. i) In the short term (1- 3 years) a more efficient value chain for pulses so that farmers can more easily extract value from growing pulses. ii) In the medium term (3- 5 years) expanding area by introducing pulses to non-traditional areas and into rice fallows iii) In the longer term (5 plus years) increased pulse yield from the current average of 0.7 tonnes/ha to in excess of 1 tonne/ha through introduction of climate resilient varieties and hybrids and improved crop management practices.
Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is a major public health problem in India. This affects the impacted child at the most crucial period of time of development, which can lead to permanent impairment in later life. PEM is measured in terms of underweight (low weight for age), stunting (low height for age) and wasting (low weight for height). The prevalence of stunting among under fives is 48% and wasting is 19.8% and with an underweight prevalence of 42.5%, it is the highest in the world. A majority of Indians being vegetarian, the affordability and availability of pulses is very important and that has been coming down as the graph below shows.

11. Key constraints in pulse production
Inadequate knowledge of farmers and extension personnel of the available improved cultivars and technologies of pulses.
Inadequate access of quality seed and other farm inputs to farmers.
Poor adoption of improved cultivars and recommended crop production practices.
Lack of varieties which resist excessive vegetative growth under high moisture/fertility conditions.

12. Key constraints in pulse production
High vulnerability of pulse crops to both biotic (pests and diseases) and abiotic stresses (temperature extremes and aberrant rainfall driven by climate change).
Pulses are largely grown in marginal lands under rainfed conditions without much inputs.
Inadequate availability of labour- saving technologies (varieties suitable for machine harvesting, herbicide resistance) for pulses.
Pulses are prone to damage by storage pests.

13. Roadmap to achieve self sufficiency in pulse production
SHORT TERM
(1-3 years)
A3P should be continued
Front line demonstrations
Improving seed replacement ratio
MEDIUM TERM
(3-5 years)
Rolling plan on crop specific technologies
Special schemes for selected states
Expanding area into rice fallows
LONG TERM
(5+ years)
Accelerate breeding process
Restructuring of plant types
Climate resilient varieties
Development of transgenics
Short term (2015/16 to 2020/21): Front line demonstrations conducted over the last decade have clearly indicated that productivity of major pulses can be enhanced by 20-30% in different geographies. Concerted efforts are needed to transfer available knowledge to farmers on pulses production and value addition so that farm output and profit can be increased.
Medium term (2021/ /27): There is an urgent need to develop and implement a rolling plan on crop specific technologies across major pulses growing states. Special schemes can be launched in selected states and districts (districts with large area and low productivity and districts with small area and high productivity) so that in the next five years at least million tonnes of additional production can be achieved. Less researched crops like urdbean, lathyrus, mothbean and horse gram need special attention for their potential in harsh growing environments. Available early maturing varieties of pulses will help in expanding crop area in new niches and in diverse geographies, such as rice-fallows. This will ensure at least an additional 2 m ha area of pulses.
Long term (beyond 2027): There is limited scope for horizontal spread of the area under pulse crops. However, non-traditional areas and seasons and intercropping with main crops offer scope for enhancement of pulses area. Major emphasis has to be given on enhancement of productivity where crop varieties and associated management practices would play a major role. There is a need to accelerate breeding process by integrating genomics tools, rapid generation turnover techniques and other novel approaches. Restructuring of plant types for bringing a breakthrough in the productivity of pulses should be given high priority. Varieties should be developed which are resilient to climate change and have other desired traits, such as enhanced resistance/tolerance to multiple stresses; enhanced phosphorus acquisition efficiency; tolerance to herbicides; tolerance to soil salinity, sodicity/alkalinity and acidity; suitability to machine harvesting; and enhanced nutritional quality and market-preferred seed traits. Development of transgenics for resistance to insect-pests, especially pod borer, needs to be taken up in the major pulses. This will require long-term investment in crop improvement research. Further, there will be a need for development of new tools and techniques for effective crop management, including integrated pest management (IPM).

14. Short term (next 3 years)
Intervention
Approximate cost needs to be incurred
(crores)
Additional benefits to be derived
1. Continuation of A3P pulse project with more renewed focus
400
11,542
2. Improving the SRR with sustainable seed systems in all five pulse crops
Total
800
1200
23,056
34,598

15. Mid term (next 5 years) Intervention Approx cost (crores)
Benefits to be derived
Brining new niche areas under pulse cultivation:
1 m ha of chickpea in rice fallows
1.5 m ha of lentils in IGP rice fallows
2.0 m ha of pigeonpea in new cropping systems / high altitude regions
1.0 m ha of moong bean as rice preceding crop
1.0 m ha of Urd bean in rice fallows
2. Enhancing post-harvest handling methods and scientific storage to minimize losses under PPP
Total
500 
600  
400 
400
600
1000
3800 
3900  
8928 
12016
3720
4600
 23022
58784

16. Long term (next 8-10 years)
Intervention
Approx cost
(crores)
Benefits to be derived
Developing mechanical harvestable cultivars and increased role of machines in pulse cultivation
2000
4119
Developing biotic and abiotic tolerant, stress tolerant short duration cultivars with photo-insensitive types
5000
34533
total
7000
38652

17. Proposed interventions with available technologies
Bringing a pulses revolution to eastern India
Bringing additional area under pulses through intercropping and sequential cropping
Enhancing pulses cultivation in peninsular India
Knowledge empowerment of stakeholders
Expanding pigeonpea hybrid production

18. Proposed interventions with available technologies
Improving access of seeds to farmers trough innovative seed systems
Integrated nutrient management
Promoting ridge and furrow method of planting in rainy season pulses
Promotion of micro-irrigation
Integrated pest management
Enhancing mechanization of pulse cultivation

19. Research thrust areas Restructuring plant type for higher productivity
Machine harvestable varieties
Herbicide tolerance
Climate smart varieties
Hybrids in pigeonpea
Reduced maturity duration

20. Research thrust areas….
Enhanced phosphorus acquisition efficiency (PAE)
Exploitation of wild species and transgenics for insect resistance
Protein enhancement and bio-fortification
Refinement of agronomic practices for crop establishment in rainfed-rice fallows
Modernization of pulses breeding programs (digital and molecular breeding)

21. Policy interventions Higher strategic research investments
Accelerated Pulses Production Program (A3P) should be continued
Agro ecoregion based specific water harvesting and conservation management practices should be designed
Strengthening of kharif pulse production in the country by reducing shift in area.
GoI has to sustain the incremental increases in pulse MSP on par with wheat and rice
There is an urgent need to blend domestic price policy with tariff policy
The role of private seed companies should be enhanced

22. Projected costs and benefits analysis
Approx. costs about Rs. 11, crores over the next ten years
Anticipated direct benefits to farmers is Rs 1,29,436 crores over the next ten year period and beyond.
Estimated direct benefits would be equivalent to 1.2 % of national GDP ( lakh crores) during
Approx. Rs 350 crores worth fertilizer urea per annum can be saved through soil nitrogen fixation
NUE which is around 40 % for upland crops can save fertilizer worth Rs. 875 crores per year.
Projected costs and benefits analysis:-
The present strategy paper has systematically highlighted the major research initiatives to be undertaken in the country for bringing self-sufficiency in pulses. The research strategy has been worked out in short, medium and long term respectively for three, five and ten years across five pulse crops. The implementation of all these initiatives together will costs about Rs.11, 700 crores over the next ten years period i.e., from to The anticipated direct benefits to farmers are estimated at 1, 29,436 crores over the next ten year period and beyond. These estimated direct benefits would be equivalent to 1.2 per cent of national GDP ( lakh crores) during The projected cost-benefit ratio for these investments in pulses are Additionally, nearly 350 crores worth fertilizer urea per annum can be saved through soil nitrogen fixation due to anticipated horizontal expansion of 5 m ha pulse area in the country. Further, if we consider the nitrogen-use-efficiency (NUE), which is around 40 per cent for upland crops, the savings on fertilizer expenditure could be around Rs.875 crores per year.

23. Thank you!
ICRISAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium