NFSM-Pulses is one of the components of the centrally sponsored scheme of National Food Security Mission and is under implementation since Rabi 2007-08. This component has undergone a number of changes since its inception and finally has taken the shape of sole centrally sponsored scheme on pulses covering all the districts in 14 states by merging all the pulses components of another centrally sponsored scheme namely Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil palm and Maize (ISOPOM). Ten districts of Assam and 15 districts of Jharkhand have also been included under NFSM-Pulses. Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P) is another step forward for vigorous implementation of the pulse development under the NFSM-Pulses. A3P has been conceptualized to take up the active propagation of key technologies such as Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in a manner that creates catalyzing impact by assuring farmers of the higher returns from the identified pulse crops.
The objective of A3P are to demonstrate plant nutrient and plant protection centric improved technologies and management practices in compact blocks covering large area for five major pulse crops namely gram, urad (black gram), arhar (red gram/pigeon pea), moong (green gram ) and masoor (lentils) for increasing production and productivity of these crops. Apart from increasing the production and productivity of pulse crops by the participating farmers another objective of A3P is to stimulate other farmers in the adjoining areas to adopt these technologies.
It is proposed to take up 1000 A3P units in the next two years i.e.2010-11 and 2011-12 for active promotion of improved production technologies. Each A3P unit would be in the form of a village level block demonstration covering an area of 1000 hectares. It is proposed to initiate 600 units in the 1st year and 400 units in the 2nd year. Panchayati Raj institutions would be involved in the selection of village level A3P units including the participating farmers. However, states would be given freedom to select the A3P unit based on availability of contiguous area in various villages of different blocks of the selected districts. This should be done well before the start of each season based on the information provided in Annexure-I. States would furnish a final list of districts as well as blocks in each district where A3P will be implemented.
Number of units (unit = 1000ha) in the selected NFSM pulses districts are as follows:

National Centre for Integrated Pest Management (NCIPM) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) would be associated with the implementation of A3P programme in pigeon pea and chick pea areas. NCIPM will have following four sub-components: