Army seeks to add organic pulses to troops' diet
NEW DELHI: In a move towards sustainable nutrition , the Indian Army has made its first-ever request to the consumer affairs department — responsible for creating and maintaining the country’s buffer stock of pulses — for the supply of organic pulses for its personnel.
Organic pulses, grown without using synthetic pesticides, improve heart health, regulate blood sugar and aid weight management.
TOI has learnt that work has started to procure and deliver organic pulses to the over 12.5-lakh strong force as a pilot, initially for a few tonnes. Govt cooperatives Nafed and NCCF have been tasked to identify sources for procurement of organic pulses and work out the supply chain from storage to delivery.
“Discussions are going on with some farmer producer organisations (FPOs), other such entities and farmers producing organic. The procurement price of these pulses would be higher. But with the Army indicating to buy this, everything will be worked out,” said a person involved in the process. “Organic pulses have lesser shelf life and so we have to have a proper supply chain from farmgate to the consumption point. Proper certification of such pulses is also key.”
Organic pulses, grown without using synthetic pesticides, improve heart health, regulate blood sugar and aid weight management.
TOI has learnt that work has started to procure and deliver organic pulses to the over 12.5-lakh strong force as a pilot, initially for a few tonnes. Govt cooperatives Nafed and NCCF have been tasked to identify sources for procurement of organic pulses and work out the supply chain from storage to delivery.
“Discussions are going on with some farmer producer organisations (FPOs), other such entities and farmers producing organic. The procurement price of these pulses would be higher. But with the Army indicating to buy this, everything will be worked out,” said a person involved in the process. “Organic pulses have lesser shelf life and so we have to have a proper supply chain from farmgate to the consumption point. Proper certification of such pulses is also key.”
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