Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches nationwide pulse revolution from Amlaha in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh
Amlaha (Sehore)/New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): A new chapter in the country's pulse policy and farmer-centric agricultural discourse began today from the Food Legume Research Center (FLRP) in Amlaha, Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh, with the launch of a nationwide pulse revolution under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. At the National Pulse Consultation and Strategy Meeting held here, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Chouhan, along with Union Ministers of State Shri Bhagirath Choudhary and Shri Ramnath Thakur, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, several state agriculture ministers, top scientists, representatives of ICAR-ICARDA, progressive farmers, FPOs, and seed and pulse mill representatives gathered on a single platform – and the message was clear: the roadmap for a self-reliant India in pulses will now be decided from the fields, not from the file rooms of Delhi.
Two Major Announcements on India's Pulses Policy and Farmers' Interests
On one hand, the roadmap for the 'Pulses Self-Reliance Mission' was finalized at the Food Legumes Research Centre (FLRP) in Amlaha (Sehore), and on the other hand, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while dismissing the opposition's concerns, gave a clear message that importing pulses is a matter of shame for us, and now India will become a pulse exporter. He also assured that despite recent international agreements, the interests of Indian farmers will not be compromised in any way.
Thanks to the Prime Minister from the Farmers, and a Strong Rebuttal to the Opposition
The Union Agriculture Minister clearly stated that the opposition's narrative of "the country has been sold, the farmers have been sold out, the farmers will be ruined" cannot stand in the face of today's facts. He said that this is a historic and remarkable agreement that will open new doors for India's progress and development, increase exports, create employment opportunities, and increase farmers' income, as our spices will be exported, the export of our rice to these countries will increase, and our dairy products have remained secure. Therefore, Indian farmers will benefit greatly from this. He said from the stage, "For this historic agreement, on behalf of the farmers of India – all of us agriculture ministers standing here – we wholeheartedly congratulate and thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring that the interests of our farmers have been completely protected under his leadership. Every farmer in India is congratulating and thanking Narendra Modi today, and we are all grateful to him for safeguarding the interests of the farmers. Thank you very much, Prime Minister, for protecting the interests of the farmers."
A Call for Pulses Self-Reliance from Amlaha
At the national meeting of the 'Pulses Self-Reliance Mission', Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh said that you can understand that the whole of India has gathered in Amlaha today. Shivraj Singh said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve is that building a self-reliant India is essential for a developed India, and in that context, self-reliance in pulses is a major goal. The Prime Minister's resolve is that India should become self-reliant in pulses, that we will not import pulses from abroad, but rather, the day will come when we will export pulses. For this, he has created the 'Pulses Self-Reliance Mission'. Today, the national meeting of this mission was held here.
Assurance of Center-State Partnership
Shri Chauhan congratulated the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for declaring this year as "Farmer Welfare Year" and said that the Government of India will fully cooperate with the Madhya Pradesh government in this decision, working hand-in-hand and shoulder-to-shoulder, so that farmers' income can be increased in the state, crop production can be enhanced, and new opportunities for value addition can be created. He also said that the agriculture ministers of all the states will work together to create separate roadmaps in their respective states, so that the Pulses Mission can be advanced according to the needs of each state.
Attack on the Opposition: "Rumors of farmers being ruined" proven false
On the political debate surrounding the India-US agreement, Union Minister Shivraj Singh strongly criticized the opposition. He said that our opposition was creating a hue and cry, claiming that an agreement with America would be signed that would ruin, destroy, and plunder the Indian farmer. Such allegations were made that it is shameful to even mention them. He reminded them that this is the same Narendra Modi who said, "I will not let the country bow down," and also said that no matter what the cost, he would not compromise on the interests of the country.
No matter the cost, we will protect the interests of the farmers. The agreement recently signed with the USA, following those with the European Union (27 countries), and previous FTAs, clearly demonstrates that the interests of the country and its farmers have been fully safeguarded.
Clear Protection for Agriculture and Dairy: “These products will not come from the US”
Addressing the farmers' main concerns, Union Minister Mr. Chauhan stated that he would only discuss matters from the farmers' perspective. Regarding our major grain, maize, about which there was much speculation that it would be imported – absolutely not. Maize, wheat, rice, soybeans, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol, tobacco, several vegetables, and various other agricultural and dairy products have been completely protected. He said that the Indian market for these products is secure for Indian farmers; neither maize, wheat, rice, soybeans, poultry products, milk, cheese, ethanol, tobacco, nor several sensitive vegetables will be imported from the US. He emphasized that these products will not come from the US, and India's interests have been fully protected.
New Export Opportunities: Boost for Basmati, Spices, and Textiles
Mr. Chauhan said that this agreement will also benefit other sectors of the country, especially our exporters, MSMEs, and youth. He said that the traditional tariffs on Indian goods will be reduced to approximately 18 percent, which will provide vast markets and opportunities in sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, plastics, rubber products, organic chemicals, home decor, handicrafts, and select machinery. He informed that tariffs on generic medicines, gems, diamonds, aircraft parts, and various other goods will be reduced to zero, which will strengthen India's export competitiveness and the 'Make in India' initiative.
In the context of agriculture, he said that basmati rice and spices will receive special benefits; The agreement will open up new market opportunities for basmati rice farmers in Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, with an 18% tariff reduction. He mentioned that exports, which were previously around ₹63,000 crore, are likely to increase further with this agreement, and cotton farmers will also benefit from increased textile exports.
Strong message regarding pulses: “Importing pulses from abroad is not a matter of pride, but of shame”
Speaking on the situation of pulses, Mr. Chauhan clearly stated that importing pulses is not a matter of pride for India. He said that the Prime Minister has decided that “pulse production must increase. Currently, we have to import pulses from abroad… It is not a matter of joy for us, but a matter of shame, that we have to import pulses from foreign countries.” Congratulating the farmers of Madhya Pradesh, he said that even today, Madhya Pradesh is number one in the country in pulse production, but he also cautioned that the area under pulse cultivation is decreasing, which needs to be increased. He acknowledged that farmers sow the crop that yields the most profit – if it's wheat, they will sow wheat, and if it's chickpeas, they will sow chickpeas. Therefore, emphasis is being placed on increasing both the productivity and profitability of pulse crops.
We will ensure that farmers receive a fair price
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the government is focused on the entire system, from seed to market. We will ensure that farmers receive a fair price when there is good production. He informed that setting up pulse mills at the cluster level will be encouraged, and the Government of India will provide a subsidy of up to ₹25 lakh for establishing pulse mills, so that processing and sales can take place where the pulses are produced, and farmers can directly benefit from value addition. Mr. Chouhan said that under this mission, 1,000 pulse mills will be opened across the country, of which 55 will be established in different clusters of Madhya Pradesh, which will provide special benefits to the farmers of the state and also create new employment opportunities at the local level.
No seed will now be released in Delhi
Referring to the new system of seed improvement and distribution, he said that we are making a decision – no seed will now be released in Delhi; seeds will be released among farmers in different states. He explained that farming will be strengthened through the cluster model, production will be increased in an organized manner by bringing farmers together, and every farmer will receive full support. Farmers in the cluster will be given seed kits, and assistance of ₹10,000 per hectare will be provided for ideal farming, so that pulse production can be taken to new heights with good seeds, better technology, and adequate financial support.
He said... Referring to the research work being carried out by the ICARDA and ICAR institutes located in Amlaha, it was stated that work is progressing on a war footing to increase the productivity of lentils, chickpeas, black gram, field peas, green gram, etc., to develop early-maturing varieties, produce improved seeds, and cultivate disease-free crops, so that farmers can benefit more from growing pulses.
Message from Amlaha – Farmers' interests protected, path to self-reliance in pulses paved
Through this national meeting held in Amlaha, Shivraj Singh Chouhan delivered two clear political and policy messages – firstly, that despite international agreements, the interests of Indian farmers will not be compromised, and secondly, that self-reliance in pulses will not remain just a slogan, but will be implemented on the ground through scientific research, policy, MSP, seed improvement, and market mechanisms. He said that the opposition's fear-mongering campaign has weakened in the face of facts today, and the farmers of the country are seeing that India is moving forward while protecting their interests.