Dept aims to cover over 13K acres under pulses in state

To promote pulses crops, targets of over 13,000 acres have been given under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission in various districts of the state. While targets of 2,500 acres each has been given for the urad and arhar, a target of over 8,100 acres has been set under moong cultivation.

An official in the agriculture department said for the implementation of the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission-Pulses during kharif season 2025, the department has given physical and financial targets of cluster demonstrations on moong, arhar and urad, cropping system-based demonstration, and distribution of certified seeds.

Farmers who will grow pulses will get a financial assistance of Rs 3,600 per acre, and seeds will be made available for the sowing of urad, moong and arhar at 50 per cent subsidy from the Haryana Seed Development Corporation. Besides this, the farmers will also be given assistance of Rs 1,000 per acre for the plant and soil protection management.

“During the kharif season, the farmers don’t show much interest in pulses due to paddy cultivation in this region, and the area remains scattered. However, to promote the pulses district-wise targets have been released by the department, and August 20 is the last date for online registration,” the official said.

The Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA), Kurukshetra, Dr Karam Chand, said, “The farmers are being motivated to increase the area under pulses in the state. After harvesting the fodder crop, the farmers can grow pulses. The government has been providing financial assistance and subsidies to the farmers. They need to apply online, and after verification, the financial assistance and subsidies will be transferred to their bank accounts.”

Similarly, the DDA, Ambala, Dr Jasvinder Saini, said, “The government aims to make the country self-reliant in pulses production, for which targets have been received. The farmers can take benefits of the scheme, and all efforts are being made to achieve the targets.”

Meanwhile, Rakesh Bains, spokesman of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni), said, “Financial assistance is not enough to motivate the farmers. The government should ensure guaranteed procurement of crops at MSP, and also ensure that the farmers don’t face any losses by shifting to other crops. The agriculture department and the government should resolve the issues being faced by the farmers at the ground level to achieve the targets.”