Odisha asks Centre for pulses research institute

Odisha government today urged the Centre to set up a national-level pulses research institute in the state so that suitable varieties can be developed in a time-bound manner.
"I would request you to consider setting up a national level pulses research institute or a branch of Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) Kanpur in the state so that suitable varieties can be developed here in a time-bound manner," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh.
Patnaik said pulses are grown on about 20.88 lakh hectares of land -- 6.86 lakh hectares in kharif season and 14.02 lakh hectares in rabi season -- higher than most states in India.

Odisha has about 16 lakh hectares of fallow rice fields which can be easily utilised for cultivation of pulses during rabi season, he said.
Mung, urad, arhar, kulthi, gram, cowpea, field pea and lentil are some of the major pulses grown in the state. The seed replacement rate of pulses is generally low due to non-availability of suitable cold-tolerant varieties in the state as pulses are grown in large areas during winter season as pyrra crops, he said.
Patnaik pointed out that many indigenous local varieties of pulses, conducive to these climatic conditions are being used, but the yield potential of these varieties is below the national average.

"There is a need for research on pulses in the state for development of suitable varieties to enhance the income of the farmers," the chief minister said.
Patnaik said the state has taken several steps to bridge the yield gap in pulses like inviting various national and international institutes to develop suitable location-specific new varieties.