This document discusses constraints in pulse production, challenges to achieving self-sufficiency, and the pulse panchayat concept. It notes that pulses are grown in rainfed conditions on marginal lands, area has stagnated as land is shifted to more remunerative crops, and there has been a lack of high-yielding varieties and resistance to diseases. The challenges to meet domestic demand by 2030 include a gap of 14 million tons and needing to double productivity from 750 kg/ha. The pulse panchayat concept promotes whole villages growing pulses and provides technical support to improve production. Strategies through pulse panchayats include convergence of departments, participatory variety selection, climate-smart practices, community seed production, and forming

1. By
Ch Ravinder Reddy
MS Swaminathan Research Foundation,
Chennai, India
Chrr.34@gmail.com
Pulse Panchayath
International Conference on Pulses for Health, Nutrition, and
Sustainable Food Security in the Dry Areas
April 18, 2016 until April 20, 2016; Marrakesh, Morocco

2. Constraints in Enhancing Pulse
production and Productivity
 Grown in rainfed conditions on marginal lands
 Area stagnation, shifting of area under pulses to
remunerative crops
 No major technological breakthrough in
increasing production ( Lack of high yielding
and location specific varieties and resistant to
diseases)
 Low seed and cultivar replacement rate and
mostly informal seed supply system
 Post harvest losses due to lack of storage
system

3. Challenges to achieve self-
sufficiency
 Domestic demand by 2030- 32 Mt.- gap of
14 Mt.
 Additional area required to meet demand 3 M
ha besides reducing post harvest losses.
 Productivity needs to be doubled from 750
kg/ha

4. Pulse Panchayath concept
 Promoting whole village farmers to grow
pulses – started in 447 acers in Eadiyapatti
Panchayath in Pudukotti dist. TN, India.
 Technical back stopping provided by national
pulses research station, Agriculture Dept. and
MSSRF for production improvement.

5. Strategies for Enhancing Pulse
Production through Pulse
Panchayath
 Convergence of agricultural line dept.
 Farmers participatory selection of varieties
 Climate smart agricultural practices
 Community based seed production and
supply and scientific seed storage methods
 Formation of Farmer producer organization
(FPO) has a critical role in pulse Panchayath
implementation.

6. Effect of Pulse Panchayath
 Awareness improved among small and
marginal farmers
 Access to improved technologies
 Improved varieties , seed availability and
innovative seed storage technology.
 Linkages to credit institutions and markets
 Yield increased by 32% (1155-1300 kg ha-1)
over control (875-1000 kg ha-1)
 Can influence the policy makers

7. Thank You