Experts at the Plant Breeding and Genetics Department of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have called upon farmers to follow recommended agronomic practices for maximising the productivity of rabi pulses. Asserting that a large portion of the Indian population is vegetarian,they say pulses form their main source of protein (18-25 per cent in pulses). The World Health Organisation recommends consumption of 80 grams of pulses per capita everyday for India,but the per capita availability of pulses has declined from 60 grams per day in 1951 to about 30 grams per day. According to Dr Guriqbal Singh,the area under pulses in Punjab has declined as farmers prefer wheat over rabi pulses due to its high productivity,more profits and easy procurement.
