This paper has discussed the importance of pulses for nutrition and environment. It has also described various government programmes initiated in India to increase the production of pulses since 2000–01. It has undertaken a situational analysis of area, production and yield, state-wise and crop-wise, for 5 major pulses (bengal gram, red gram, green gram, black gram and lentils) along with total pulses with reference to the time periods in which different government schemes were launched. For bengal gram and red gram, a description of the irrigated area under them is also provided. The study has found awareness about government schemes, new technologies and cropping practices largely lacking. Therefore, print and electronic media and information and communication technology have to be effectively harnessed. The decision on imports needs to be timely to check price rise in pulses. Incentives need to be given to farmers by announcing MSP on time. To increase production of pulses, research has to intensified in terms of yield potential, fortification, growing days, etc.
Pulse production, nutritional security, pulse import, new technology
