World Pulses Day 2021 at ARS , Tandur

World Pulses Day was organized at Agricultural Research Station, Tandur on 10-02-2021. The programme was chaired by Dr. C. Sudhakar, Principal Scientist (Agro) & Head, Mr.Nazeer (Agricultural Officer, Peddamul) Smt. Rajitha (Agricultural Officer, Tandur), Smt. JyosnaPriyadarshini (Agricultural Officer), Dr. K. Sujatha, Scientist (Plant Breeding), Mr. T. Rajeshwar Reddy, Scientist (Plant Pathology), Dr. S. Sandeep, Scientist (Plant Breeding), Smt. K. Sandya Rani, Scientist (Agronomy), Smt. C. Manikya Minnie, Scientist (Plant Breeding) and Smt. C. Yamuna, Subject Matter Specialist, DAATTC, Tandur, Agricultural Extension Officers and 200 Farmers have attended the training programme. The Chief guest, Dr. C. Sudhakar, Principal Scientist (Agro) & Head, addressed the importance of pulses in the present scenario to raise awareness and recognize the contribution of pulses to sustainable food systems and healthy food cycle. The benefits of pulses as rich in nutritional and protein values and are an important part of a healthy diet. The nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, which increases the productivity and fertility of the farmland. The nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, which increases and extends the productivity of the farmland. By using pulses for intercropping and cover crops, farmers can also promote farm biodiversity and soil biodiversity, while keeping harmful pests and diseases at bay. Furthermore, pulses can contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing dependence on the synthetic fertilizers used to introduce nitrogen artificially into the soil. Smt. C. Manikya Minnie, Scientist (Plant Breeding) discussed about the importance of chickpea varieties in increasing the productivity and best management practices to be adopted for enhancing the yield levels. Dr. S. Sandeep, Scientist (Plant Breeding) emphasized about the important redgram varieties with resistance to wilt and SMD. Dr. K. Sujatha, Scientist (Plant Breeding) discussed about the important varieties in soyabean, cowpea and horsegram and their management practices. Mr.T. Rajeshwar Reddy, Scientist (Plant Pathology) described about the important pests and diseases in pulse crops and their management. Smt. K. Sandya Rani, Scientist (Agronomy) explained the best management practices to be followed in Greengram and Blackgram and their use as intercrops will ensure additional benefits as a part of sustainable agriculture. Smt. C. Yamuna, Subject Matter Specialist, DAATTC, Tandur addressed about the importance of pulse crops in rainfed ecosystem and management of diseases in pulses. The Agricultural officers addressed that area of pulses has been increased this year in the state of Telangana and hoped for sustenance of this legume crops as achieved in cereals. Eight farmers were felicitated for their contribution, excellence and innovative cultivation in Redgram Transplanted technology, Bengalgram machine harvestable varieties and organic farming, Undertaking seed production activities in popular varieties of Redgram and chickpea, and helping in spread of new pigeonpea varieties among the neighbouring farmers.