Government Pushes Arhar and Urad Cultivation in Naxal-Affected Areas

The government is promoting the cultivation of arhar and urad pulses in Naxal-affected regions of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh to boost national production and farmers' income. The initiative, led by the NCCF, includes hybrid seed distribution and pre-registration for selling produce. The project could reduce India's dependence on pulse imports.

The government is actively promoting the cultivation of arhar and urad pulses in Naxal-affected areas of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. This effort aims to boost national production and increase farmers' incomes, according to a government official.

This initiative focuses on non-traditional pulse-growing regions and serves as a pilot project that could be expanded nationwide if successful, potentially decreasing India's reliance on pulse imports.

The National Co-operative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd (NCCF), tasked with implementing the project, has identified four districts in Jharkhand and five in Chhattisgarh for the initiative. These districts include Rajnandgaon, Jashpur, Bastar, and Mohla Manpur in Chhattisgarh, and Palamu, Katihar, Dumka, and Garwa in Jharkhand.

"We're promoting arhar and urad production this kharif season in selected Naxal-affected and tribal areas of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, including women farmers," NCCF Managing Director Anice Joseph Chandra told PTI.

The current kharif season will see hybrid seeds being distributed to farmers, who are encouraged to pre-register on NCCF's e-Samyukti portal to sell their produce to the cooperative. Offline applications are available for less tech-savvy farmers.

Farmers can sell their harvested pulses to NCCF at the minimum support price (MSP) or to private traders if market prices exceed the MSP. "Assured buying will encourage farmers to expand cultivation and improve their income, while helping reduce India's pulse imports," Chandra added.

NCCF, responsible for procuring pulses for government buffer stocks, aims to source half its target quantity through this initiative. Additionally, the cooperative is engaging in contract farming with pulses growers, offering them the option to sell to either NCCF or private traders.

(With inputs from agencies.)