Sunil Khairnar says, area under pulses this year is lower by 14 lakh hectares and as a result, production will be lower.
Addressing the National Conference on Pulses 2004, organised by Agriwatch (Sunil Khairnar, Chairman), a well-known agribusiness portal, here on Sunday, Ms Singh exhorted the participants in pulses business - processors, importers, traders and service providers - to get associated with the research and development initiatives of the Technology Mission on Oilseeds, Pulses and Maize.
"We will provide not only institutional support, but also financial support to private sector players who get involved in extension mechanism," she said. Large funds are said to be available with the Government for R&D activities under various mini-missions.
The one-day seminar covered presentations on global markets, futures trading, advances in processing technology and regulatory issues that concern the domestic pulses trade. Mr Sunil Khairnar of Agriwatch told Business Line that it was the first-ever national meet focusing exclusively on pulses.
