India might be self-sufficient in pulses in 2-3 years: Radha Mohan Singh

India produced about 16.5 million tonnes of pulses in 2015-16 crop year (July-June)

India might become self-sufficient in pulses in the next two to three years, minimising the need for imports, Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Tuesday.

Addressing the annual meeting of cice-chancellors and directors of agriculture universities, Singh said India is on course to become self-sufficient in pulses production. In 2016-17, India is expected to produce a record 20 million tonnes of pulses on the back of bumper kharif harvest and good rabi sowing. In the kharif season, pulses production is expected to be around 8.70 million tonnes, while rabi harvest is expected to be over 13 million tonnes. Consumption