Context

• Recently the Global Pulses Conference was jointly organised by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and Global Pulse Confederation (GPC).

Key Points

• The Global Pulse Convention 2024, named Pulses: 2024, was held in New Delhi from 14 to 17 February.
• This year more than 40 countries participated in the conference.
• It is noteworthy that the conference of the year 2023 was organised in Sydney, Australia.

Highlights of Global Pulses Conference 2024 -

• The Center has taken adequate measures to improve the cultivation of pulses in the country by regularly increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
• The production of pulses has increased by 60% in the last decade from 171 lakh tonnes in 2014 to 270 lakh tonnes in 2024.
• India has set a target of achieving self-reliance in the pulses sector by 2027.
• It is noteworthy that India has become self-sufficient in gram and many other pulse crops, only arhar and urad are slightly lacking.

Pulses Production in India

• India is the largest producer of pulses in the world.
• 25% of global production takes place in India.
• Major export destinations (2022-23): Bangladesh, China, UAE, US and Nepal.
• Top pulses producing states: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

Importance of pulse crops

• It benefits the soil, and is nutritious and benefits smallholder farmers.
•  If India makes efforts to improve farming, all stakeholders will benefit.

Challenges

• Low productivity of pulses in India compared to other major producers
• Ignoring pulse crops
• Despite high minimum support price, low yield of pulses per acre
• High import dependence

Way Forward

• Moving towards Second Green Revolution (main focus on pulses production)
• Product diversification
• Efforts towards value addition
• Strengthening related institutions.

Global Pulse Confederation

• The Global Pulses Confederation represents all sectors of the pulses industry value chain.
• This includes producers, researchers, logistics suppliers, traders, exporters and importers as well as various government bodies, multilateral organisations, processors/processors, consumers.
• It consists of 24 national associations and over 500 private sector members.
• It is located in Dubai.

Important Facts For Exam

NAFED

• Established- October 2, 1958
• It is registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act.
• It is an apex organisation of agricultural produce marketing cooperative societies in India.

World Pulses Day

• Observed: Every year on 10th February. 
• It originated from the UN’s International Year of Pulses in 2016. 
• Theme for the 2024 World Pulses Day: Nourishing Soils and People
• This theme sheds light on the crops’ role in environmental sustainability and nutrition.