See Full Document Text
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2707
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 04TH AUGUST, 2026
CULTIVATION AND PRODUCTION OF LENTIL
2707. DR. ANAND KUMAR:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण
म(cid:287)ं ी be pleased to state:
(a) whether Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh was earlier famous for the production of
lentil (masur) in the country where high-quality and nutritious lentils used to be produced
but a significant decline has been recorded in lentil cultivation and production during the
last few years;
(b) if so, whether the Government has conducted any scientific study of the reasons for
such decline, including an assessment of climate change, changes in rainfall patterns,
rising temperature, groundwater levels, soil fertility, environmental changes, crop
diversification, availability of seeds, cost of cultivation, market arrangements and other
agriculture-related factors and if so, the key findings thereof; and
(c) whether there is any proposal to establish a pulse value addition and quality testing
laboratory in Bahraich in the interest of lentil-growing farmers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (c): The area and production of lentil (masur) in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh,
as reported by the State government has been increasing over the years except a slight
decrease in production during 2024-25, as given below:
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Area (in thousand hectares) 49.01 55.73 64.90 67.66 70.13
Production (in thousand
52.54 52.67 55.75 58.20 57.70
tonnes)
Source: DA&FW
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing a centrally
sponsored scheme namely “Mission for Aatmanirbharta” in Pulses with the objective to
increase the production of pulses with special focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor in all the
States, including Uttar Pradesh, and the 3 UTs, namely J&K, Ladakh and Puducherry.Under the Pulses Mission, assistance is provided to farmers growing pulses through
the State governments on various interventions such as seed production of newly
released varieties, distribution of certified seeds of high yielding & climate resilient
varieties, seedkit distribution, demonstration of latest crop production technologies,
capacity building and strengthening post-harvest infrastructure. In addition, 100% central
assistance is given on purchase of breeder seeds to the States/UTs. The Mission also
supports assured procurement of Masoor from willing and registered farmers through
NAFED and NCCF as per the norms of Price Support Scheme (PSS) under the Pradhan
Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), as per the requisition made by
the States. To strengthen post-harvest infrastructure, financial assistance up to Rs. 25
lakhs is being provided for setting up processing units over the period of 2025-26 to
2030-31.
To boost lentil production in the country, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) is undertaking basic and strategic research on lentils at the ICAR-Indian Institute
of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur. In addition, applied research is being carried out
through the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Rabi Pulses in
collaboration with the State Agricultural Universities and research institutes to develop
location-specific, high-yielding varieties and appropriate production technology packages
for enhancing the productivity and production of lentil in Uttar Pradesh, including
Bahraich. As a result of these efforts, 20 high-yielding, climate-resilient lentil varieties
have been notified for cultivation in Uttar Pradesh, including Bahraich, since 2018.
To facilitate the adoption of newly released lentil varieties, about 368 quintals of
breeder seed were produced during the last three years and supplied to the seed-
producing agencies for multiplication into certified seed for use by farmers across Uttar
Pradesh, including Bahraich. Further, to enhance the availability of quality certified seeds
of improved lentil varieties, about 4,996 quintals of certified seeds were produced during
the last three years and made available through 14 Seed Hub on Pulses-centres
established in the State under the aegis of ICAR. Additionally, to promote improved lentil
varieties and production technologies, scientists associated with the AICRP at State
Agricultural Universities conducted 421 Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) on farmers'
fields across Uttar Pradesh, including Bahraich, during the last three years.As reported by the State, the requirement and availability of certified/quality seeds
of Lentils in Uttar Pradesh during the years 2023-24 to 2025-26 is as under:
(Quantity of Seeds in lakh Qtls.)
Sr. No. Year Requirement Availability
1 2023-24 2.34 2.49
2 2024-25 2.63 2.80
3 2025-26 3.10 3.66
In addition, the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) is a
demand-driven component scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana
(PMKSY), being implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
Under this scheme, the Ministry provides financial assistance for setting up Food Testing
Laboratories. Proposals are invited from across the country through Expressions of
Interest (EOIs) issued from time to time on the MoFPI Ministry's SAMPADA Portal.
Presently, no proposal for the establishment of a Food Testing Laboratory in Bahraich is
pending with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
*****