New Delh. Government of India has approved Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P) under National Food Security Mission on Pulses from 1.04.2010 for the remaining period of 11th Plan. One million hectare of potential pulses area would be taken up under the programme. This initiative is intended to demonstrate the impact of production and protection technologies in the farmers' field for boosting the production and productivity of pulses. Besides, a sum of Rs.300 crores has also been earmarked for Organizing Sixty Thousand "Pulses and Oilseeds village" in the Rainfed Areas during 2010-11 for Agricultural Development under RKVY.

This reply was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri K.V. Thomas in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. He said The Productivity of Pulses in the Country in past few year has increased from the level of 577 Kg/ha during 2004-05 to 625 Kg/ha during 2007-08. To meet the increasing demand of pulses in the country, Government has been implementing National Food Security Mission on Pulses in 16 Major Pulses Growing states of the country. Besides, under the Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) scheme, assistance is also provided for pulses development in the states which are not covered under NFSM Programme.