Increase in Pulses an imperative necessity

Abstract

Among the different kinds of food, it need hardly be emphasised, that pulses have an important role. For, in the diet of every Indian, Pulses constitute one of the important sources of protein food, supplying the necessary materials for building the body and repairing the waste tissues. Therefore, our Province can ill-afford to be in deficit of the required quantities of different pulses for consumption, nor can it look to other Provinces for help. The immensity of the problem is indicated by the fact that for a consumption of 5,83,450 tons of pulses, the average production, has been 2,70,600 tons per annum leaving thereby a deficit of 3,12,850 tons. In other words, the production is only 46-4% of the requirements of the population and so more than half the quantity of pulses required has to be imported from outside. Against such a huge shortage, the coastwise import of pulses during 1946-47 was 30,228 tons, while no pulse of any kind was received from foreign countries. To be more specific, it might be stressed, that the deficit in production of the three chief pulses, Redgram, Blackgram and Bengalgram should be made up quickly in all possible ways.