Kharif Mini Kit Programme : Achieving Self Sufficiency In Pulses
Source : PIB
GS II : Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers

Why in News ?

With an aim to attain self-sufficiency in the production of pulses, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has formulated a special Kharif strategy for implementation in the ensuing Kharif 2021 season.

• It also aims India to become Aatmanirbhar in the production of pulses.

Key Facts

Aim : The special programme will increase the production and productivity of the three pulses of Tur, Moong and Urad will play an important role in reducing the import burden.

• Kharif Mini Kit Programme : Through consultations with the state governments, a detailed plan for both area expansion and productivity enhancement for Tur, Moong and Urad has been formulated.
• Under the strategy, utilising all the high yielding varieties (HYVs) of seeds that are available either with the Central Seed Agencies or in the States will be distributed free of cost.
• It is proposed to distribute 20,27,318 (almost 10 times more seed mini kits than 2020-21) amounting to Rs. 82.01 crores.
  • The total cost for these mini-kits will be borne by the Central Government to boost the production and productivity of tur, moong and urad.
• Other Facts
  • Tur intercropping will be covered in 11 states and 187 districts. The states are Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Moong intercropping will be covered in 9 states and 85 districts. The states are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Urad intercropping will be covered in 6 states in 60 districts. The states are Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Urad sole cropping will be covered in 6 states.

Cropping Seasons in India

• There are three distinct crop seasons in the northern and interior parts of country, namely kharif, rabi and zaid.
• The kharif season largely coincides with Southwest Monsoon.
  • The cultivation of tropical crops such as rice, cotton, jute, jowar, bajra and tur is possible. 
• The rabi season begins with the onset of winter in October-November and ends in March-April. 
  • Cultivation of temperate and subtropical crops such as wheat, gram and mustard.
• Zaid is a short duration summer copping season beginning after harvesting of rabi crops.
  • The cultivation of  watermelons, cucumbers, vegetables and fodder crops during this season is done on irrigated lands.

Pulses In Inida

• Pulses are a very important ingredient of vegetarian food as these are rich sources of proteins.
• These are legume crops which increase the natural fertility of soils through nitrogen fixation.
• India is a leading producer of pulses
  • It accounts for about one-fifth of the total production of pulses in the world.
• The cultivation of pulses in the country is largely concentrated in the dry lands of Deccan and central plateaus and northwestern parts of the country.
• Pulses occupy about 11 per cent of the total cropped area in the country.
• Being the rainfed crops of drylands, the yields of pulses are low and fluctuate from year to year.
• Gram and Tur are the main pulses cultivated in India.
• Pulse Production Programme
  • Major push towards this effort was made in 2016-17
  • Started with the creation of 150 pulses seed hubs in 24 states covering Krishi Vigyan Kendras in 97 districts, 46 State Agricultural Universities and 7 ICAR institutions
  • They provide location-specific varieties and quality seed quantities.
  • Breeder Seed Production Centres infrastructure at 12 ICAR/SAU centres in 08 states was created for increasing Varietal Replacement and Seed Replacement.

Daily Current Affairs : Click Here