Budget may allocate more to raise pulses, vegetables output

In an effort to fight relentless inflation in food prices, the upcoming Budget may provide higher allocation for increasing production of pulses, palm oil and vegetables. There is also thinking to involve more cities in the vegetable cluster programme. A source in know of the development said, “Various initiatives have resulted in significant increase in the production of pulses, oil palm and vegetables. So, there is case to increase the outlay to boost the production further.” The allocation could be raised up to 50 per cent, he indicated. According to the second advance estimate, the Government expects pulses production to touch 17.28 million tonnes during 2011-12.

Source: The Hindu Business Line