The goal of self-sufficiency in the production of pulses is quite challenging
05-Feb-2025 08:00 PM
The goal of achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production in India is indeed a challenging one, given the current realities of weak domestic production and increasing consumption. The proposed Pulses Mission in the Union Budget, with a focus on boosting the production of key pulse crops like tuvar, urad, and lentils, offers a significant opportunity to address the country’s growing dependence on imports. However, as you noted, the sharp rise in pulse imports in 2024 to a record high of 66.33 lakh tonnes highlights the scale of the challenge.
The government's efforts to provide duty-free imports for certain pulses to manage domestic supply and price increases may have alleviated short-term concerns but also exacerbated the import dependency. To reduce imports and achieve self-sufficiency by 2027, a combination of measures is required, including:
Increasing yield per hectare: The yield rate for pulses in India remains relatively low compared to global standards. Research and development in better seed varieties, improved farming practices, and modern agricultural techniques could help boost productivity.
Government Support: The provision of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and enhanced procurement mechanisms are essential to make pulse farming financially viable for farmers. Additionally, better storage facilities will reduce post-harvest losses, making the entire supply chain more efficient.
Farmer Education and Support: Providing farmers with proper training, access to credit, and a reliable supply of inputs like quality seeds and fertilizers is crucial. Additionally, incentivizing them to grow pulses, which are less water-intensive than other crops like rice, could help in optimizing land use.
Addressing Market Dynamics: Creating a robust market system that can absorb the increased production is key. This would include enhancing the storage capacity, expanding domestic processing, and fostering more effective distribution networks.
The Pulses Mission, with its focus on increasing production, is a step in the right direction. But it requires sustained effort and investment to ensure that India doesn't only meet domestic demand but also becomes a competitive producer on the global stage. Only through consistent government policies, technological advancements, and farmer-centric support can India hope to reduce its reliance on imports and achieve self-sufficiency in pulses.