Need for Special Incentives to Farmers to Boost Pulses Production

16-Mar-2026 01:18 PM

New Delhi. A petition filed in the Supreme Court argued that a ban should be imposed on the import of yellow peas, as it is having an adverse impact on the domestic production of pulses. While hearing this petition, the Supreme Court directed the Central Government to convene a meeting with all concerned stakeholders and called for a review of the existing import policy.

The government was also asked to explore better alternative measures, specifically involving the provision of special incentives to encourage farmers to cultivate pulses rather than traditional crops. Emphasis was also laid on the necessity of encouraging farmers to engage in crop diversification. India is the world's largest importer of pulses.

The Supreme Court expressed hope that, through the formulation of a new policy, the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) would be given serious consideration by the concerned ministry. The next hearing for the case has been scheduled for May 8.

Notably, a farmers' organization—the 'Kisan Mahapanchayat'—had filed a petition in the Supreme Court urging the government to issue directives to ban the import of yellow peas.

The Supreme Court stated that a comprehensive report detailing the government's consultations with various stakeholders, as well as the decisions taken pursuant to those discussions, must be submitted to the Court.