A Fertile Launchpad for National Ambition
Madhya Pradesh’s fertile soils, abundant water resources, and favorable climate form its greatest strength. The robust presence of ICARDA, an international dryland research institute, fills the state with pride. In India, grain transcends production. It embodies life, culture, and values. “Annadevobhav,” food as divine, anchors our agrarian heritage. As the state celebrates “Kisan Kalyan Varsh” (Farmers’ Welfare Year), Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the National Pulse Self Reliance Mission portal at Sehore’s Food Legume Research Centre in Amlaha. This bold initiative targets 35 million tonnes of pulse production by 2030-31, slashing import dependence and boosting farmer incomes through superior seeds, modern storage, and assured marketing.
Madhya Pradesh, India’s top pulse producer, stands to gain most. Chief Minister Yadav declared: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘seed to market’ government partners with farmers. Pulses, protein powerhouses in every thali, demand urgent action.” The mission allocates 354 crore Rupees to the state, with budget approval letters handed to agriculture ministers from various states.
Milestones and Infrastructure Boost
The event blended inauguration with legacy building. Deep prajjwalan marked the National Consultation and Strategy Conference. ICARDA’s new administrative block, training center, and state of the art plant tissue culture lab received inauguration ribbons. Yadav hailed: “This facility opens doors of hope for our annadatas. It bridges scientific farming, advanced tech, and global expertise to local fields.”
ICARDA’s scientific models will fortify state irrigation and conservation drives, potentially crafting a sustainable agri model not just nationally, but globally. Sehore’s conclave dissected pulse challenges, sensitivities, and prospects, setting policy and research milestones.
Cultural Roots, Modern Imperatives
Yadav rooted the mission in ethos: “Madhya Pradesh is India’s food basket. Our civilization thrives on agriculture. PM Modi prioritizes the poor, farmers, youth, and women.” He lamented chemical overuse’s toll on lifestyles, praising Modi’s farmer first stance that swayed even America. “Pulses fill every Indian plate year round. Madhya Pradesh will ramp up production, shoulder to shoulder with the center.”
The state pledges full support for pulse prosperity. Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana already disbursed over 1,500 crore Rupees for soybean. Irrigation expanded 44 lakh hectares post government. Ken Betwa and Parvati Kalisindh Chambal projects accelerate it toward 100 lakh hectares.
Union Minister’s Roadmap: From Clusters to Mills
Chouhan, once Madhya Pradesh’s CM, asserted: “Agriculture now runs from villages, not Delhi. Madhya Pradesh leads pulses.” He detailed global pacts safeguarding farmers. Sharbat wheat to dazzle, basmati and spices tariff relief at 18 percent, cotton boost via textile exports. “Import pulses? Not in national interest. Beyond moong, production dips.”
Crop rotation is key. Ramp chickpeas, masoor, urad. ICARDA aids elite seeds via plant tissue culture. Mission features pulse clusters, seed villages, hubs. Progressive farmers earn 10,000 Rupees per hectare incentive. Dal mills get 25 lakh Rupees aid. 1,000 nationwide (55 in MP). MSP: tur 8,000, urad 7,800, chana 5,875, masoor 7,000 Rupees per quintal. All procured 100 percent.
Voices from the Vanguard
State Agriculture Minister Adal Singh Kanshana affirmed: “Happy farmers mean prosperous nation. Shift to tech driven farming.” Joint Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Agarwal noted 11,440 crore Rupees national outlay. ICARDA Director General Ali Abur SABA: “India, top global pulse consumer, relies on us for 41 new varieties.” ICAR DG Dr. M.L. Jat: “MP’s 1,200 kg/ha yield vs. national 926 kg/ha. Scaling it adds 8 million tonnes, achieving self reliance.”
Gifts of district specialties under “One District One Product” graced delegates. Exhibitions showcased agri advances. Tree planting symbolized growth.
A Collaborative Horizon
Attendees spanned Union Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Bhagirath Chaudhary, State Revenue Minister Karan Singh Verma, ministers from Odisha (KV Singhdeo), UP (Surya Pratap Shahi), Haryana (Shyam Singh Rana), Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, plus ICARDA’s Shivkumar Agarwal, experts, progressive farmers, and scientists.
This synergy, from portal launch to lab unveilings, ushers pulse self reliance. Madhya Pradesh, food bowl vanguard, exemplifies center state harmony. Pulses power vegetarian protein needs. Self sufficiency secures nutrition, incomes, sovereignty. Yadav and Chouhan’s pact charts a path where fertile fields yield national pride. India marches to pulse prosperity.
