Concerned over the stagnated pulses output and the rising prices of the commodity, the Central government has chalked out a detailed programme to boost production of pulses in the country.

As a first step towards this goal, the government has decided to introduce a new hybrid seed for pulses in the coming kharif season which is expected to increase the yield by more than 25% adding about 2 tonnes per hectare of pulses and help meet its growing demand.

The pulses production in the country has almost stagnated in the last 15 years.

The clinical trials of the hybrid variety of seed has been completed and the government will make the seeds commercially available during the coming kharif season. The increase in yield will help meet the growing demand for pulses.

The pigeon pea technology has been developed at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (Icrisat) in Andhra Pradesh and is suited for cultivation in drylands and water scarce regions. It is highly resistant to two major diseases -- Fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic -- prevalent in all the major pulses growing areas.

According to officials, the government is also planning to raise the area under pulses cultivation by 2.4 million hectare in the short term through inter-cropping and by two million hectare in three years utilising rice fallows to increase production of pulses that are currently being imported.

Rabi Maize Output Up

Rabi maize crop in the country is estimated at 28.5 lakh tonnes for the current season, higher by 14 % over last season due to an increase in acreage.

Area under Rabi season is expected to increase by 39.5% for season 2006-07. However, total kharif crop for season 2006-07 is likely to be lower by 6% at 138.5 lakh tonnes, according to NCDEX.