Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageshwara Rao has said that Tandur Tur Dal grown in Telangana state has a unique place in the world, only 4 lakh quintals of pulses are available in the market every year. This is the 16th product from Telangana to get the geographical indication (GI) tag.
The Minister asked the Central government to take immediate steps to establish Pulses board to encourage farmers. Similarly, the 25 per cent limit imposed on the collection of pulses has been lifted and 100 per cent should be allowed. Due to this, pulses farmers will be encouraged and they will be able to withstand fluctuations in the markets. Similarly, small bags (minikits) were also requested to be given to the state in abundance.
Nageshwara Rao participated in the video conference conducted by the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday with Agriculture Ministers of 10 states regarding the steps to be taken to increase cultivation of pulses and area under pulses in the respective states.
On the occasion, the Union Minister said that in view of the growing needs, the cultivation of pulses in the country has to be increased and it is the immediate duty of all that the central government will formulate the policies accordingly.
On this occasion, the Minister also asked the Centre to increase the subsidy given to pulses farmers under the National Food Security Mission. Similarly, Telangana State has also planned to promote the cultivation of pulses as per the decisions of the Central Government, especially after the first harvest of paddy.
On this occasion, the Minister referred to the oil palm cultivation undertaken ambitiously by the Telangana Government and explained the progress during the last two years. While it has been cultivated since 30 years in Andhra Pradesh, it has been started 3 years ago in Telangana, and more encouragement should be given to the farmers taking up oil palm cultivation, especially the price should be made affordable, he said. Before the last election, it was suggested that the import duty on palm oil should be removed completely, as it has disturbed the interests of the farmers cultivating oil palm domestically, and steps should be taken in the direction of imposing import duty on oil palm again. With that, the price of Oil Palm bunch (Fresh Fruit Bunches) is likely to increase. The Union Minister responded positively and suggested that the Minister should come to Delhi and meet with all the matters.
