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There are two agricultural commodities in which India is significantly import-dependent: Edible oil and pulses. India’s import of pulses dropped by 60 per in recent years , as their production increased 9 per cent. The Union government has prepared a plan to focus on increasing the production of pulses to make the country self-sufficient over coming years.
Indian Pulses Sector:
India is the largest producer (25% of global production), consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world. Pulses account for around 20 percent of the area under food grains and contribute around 7-10 per cent of the total food- grains production in the country.
Out of the 24-25 million tonnes (mt) cooking oil that the country consumes annually, only 9-10 mt is from domestically produced grain. The balance 14-15 mt is imported. The reduction in pulses imports have come essentially on the back of higher domestic production.
Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, Rabi pulses contribute more than 60 per cent of the total production. Major pulses are grown chick- peas (gram), pigeon pea (tur or arhar), moong beans, urad (black matpe), masur (lentil), peas and various kinds of beans. Gram is the most dominant pulse having a share of around 40 per cent in the total production followed by total production followed by Tur/Arhar at 15 to 20 per cent.
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka are the top five pulses producing States. The United Nations declared 2016 as “Inter national Year of Pulses” (IYP) to heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed at food security and nutrition.
Relatively Atmanirbhar in pulses:
In quantity terms, India’s imports of pulses more than doubled from 3.18 mt in 2013-14 to 6.61 mt in 2016- 17. From those peaks, they have come down to 2.70 mt. According to the Agriculture Ministry, India’s pulses out- put has increased from 19.26 mt in in recent decade.2022-23.The reduction in pulses imports have come essentially on the back of higher domestic production.
It can be seen that imports of two items have recorded dramatic drops: Yellow/white peas (matar) and chickpea (chana). The boost to chana production came from two key government measures like: Incentivizing Indian farmers to expand area under the pulses crop grown during the Rabi season. Levy of a 60% import duty on chana since March 2018. In yellow/white peas, there is a 50% duty plus a minimum price of Rs 200/kg below which imports are not permitted. Government’s procurement at minimum support prices (MSP).
Climatic Conditions Required:
Pulse crops are cultivated in Kharif, Rabi and Zaid seasons of the Agricultural year. Rabi crops require mild cold climate during sowing period, during vegetative to pod development cold climate and during harvesting climate. Similarly, Kharif pulse crops require a climate throughout their life from sowing to harvesting. Summer pulses are habitants of warm climates. Several Posts and Blogs are found in Internet to know more details.
During the Kharif Season:
Arhar (Tur), Urd (Blackgram), Moong (Greengram), Lobia (Cowpea), Kulthi (Horse Gram) and Moth are most harvesting pulses.
Rabi: Lathyrus and Rajmash
Summer: Greengram, Blackgram and Cowpea
Challenges to the Pulse Production:
Poor and inadequate storage facilities. Volatility in the prices due to rainfed dependency of the crops. Decrease in the cultivation area. Farmers opting Higher Yielding Crops with higher MSP. Inconsistencies in Minimum Support Price (MSP) like the Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission who fixes MSP is by status a department whose recommendations are only advisory.Representation of farmers is minimal.
The so-called 50 per cent profit to the farmer is not per the government’s intended formula, and so it is relatively low. The farmers do not even get the declared MSP. The pulses are imported at prices lower than the domestic ones. Vulnerability to pests is also a major hindrance in the production of pulses.Farmers lack crop Insurance and credit facilities.
Recommendations:
The Government has raised various launched various schemes. NFSM (National Food Security Mission): Launched by the Government of India during 2007-08 at the beginning of the 11th five- year plan. The two-pronged strategy was followed by NFSM to achieve this.
To expand the area under cultivation of pulses and to enhance productivity by bridging the gap between the actual and potential yield. RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) programme: It is a continuing scheme under implementation from the 11th Five Year Plan period of National Development Council (NDC). The scheme will incentivize States in enhancing more allocation to Agriculture and Allied Sectors.
PM-POSHAN: The Indian government has urged states to procure pulses (for Mid-day meals) under the PM- POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) program from (National NAFED Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India