Farmers in Gulbarga increase pulses yields 15-20%

Farmers in Gulbarga district have achieved a 15-20 per cent higher yield in the two major pulses varieties -- pigeon pea and chick pea -- with the help of better inputs and management of pests that causes annual crop losses to the tune of Rs 4,000-5,000 crore in the country.

“Both Gulbarga and Bidar together account for about 15 per cent of India's total pigeon pea production,” Senior Scientist (Etymology) at Gulbarga's Agriculture Research Station Suhas Yelshetty said. The Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P), under the Rs 5,000 crore-central scheme 'National Food Security Mission', is on in Gulbarga district since 2010-11 for raising the output of these two varieties on a sustainable basis.

The government chose pigeon pea and chick pea, as both pulses together account for about 60 per cent of the total pulses area in the country.

The A3P covered these pulses across different cropping systems and has also taken care of the changing scenario emerging from climate change and cropping pattern, he added.