Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Jan 2: Jharkhand, traditionally known for its rich resources of mines, mountains, and forests, is now making significant strides in agricultural production. The state’s agricultural output, particularly in pulses and millet, is surpassing national and global averages, positioning Jharkhand as a leader in agricultural growth.
The state has achieved a major milestone with its pulses production, surpassing the national and global averages. The world average for pulse production per hectare is 1000 kg, while the national average in India stands at 860 kg per hectare. Jharkhand, however, has exceeded these figures, producing an impressive 1060 kg of pulses per hectare. This achievement highlights the state’s growing prowess in agricultural productivity. Alongside pulses, Jharkhand is also witnessing a boost in millet grain production, with various types of millet including Madha, Jowar, Bajra, Kutki, Kodo, and Sama being cultivated across the state. The area under millet cultivation has expanded significantly, from just 20,000 hectares two years ago to 90,000 hectares today, thanks to the Jharkhand Millet Mission Scheme. Under this initiative, over 1.77 lakh farmers have registered to cultivate millet. The state is providing financial incentives ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 15,000 to farmers, depending on the size of their land, with a special focus on those with 1 to 5 acres of land.
Despite this progress, Jharkhand still lags in the production of oilseeds, though efforts are underway to improve this area. The state’s inclusion of all 24 districts under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) scheme, up from just 12 districts previously, is expected to drive growth in oilseed production.
The state’s agricultural progress was discussed in the Chief Secretary Conference held on December 14, where self-reliance in pulses was highlighted. In the conference, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jharkhand’s initiatives in the pulses sector and the role of agriculture in employment and development were thoroughly reviewed. Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary presented the state’s achievements and future plans in the agricultural sector, with a special focus on increasing pulse production.
The state’s efforts to increase the cultivation of coarse grains, pulses, and oilseeds are already yielding positive results. In addition to pulses, crops like wheat, soybean, groundnut, sunflower, maize, mustard, and gram are being cultivated in Jharkhand. To support farmers, the state government is providing seeds for these crops and has included wheat in the Birsa Crop Extension Scheme to address food security concerns and boost wheat production, which currently falls below the national average.
With continued government support and a focus on expanding agricultural output, Jharkhand is poised to become more self-reliant in its agricultural sector, contributing to the state’s overall development.
