The government is not serious about curbing pulse imports.

08-Oct-2025 11:32 AM

New Delhi. Available data shows that India's annual average import of pulses was 2.7 million tons between 2018-19 and 2022-23. This increased to 4.8 million tons in the 2023-24 fiscal year and reached an all-time high of 7.3 million tons in 2024-25.

During 2024-25, imports of all five major pulses—tur, urad, gram, lentils, and yellow peas—were completely duty-free. Tur, urad, and yellow peas are still being imported duty-free, while 10 percent customs duty is applicable on desi gram and lentils.

Yellow peas accounted for the highest share of 29.5 percent of total pulse imports during the 2024-25 fiscal year. This was followed by Desi gram with a share of 22 percent, pigeon pea with 16.7 percent, peas with 16.6 percent, and black gram with 11.2 percent.

According to a report by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), India's dependence on pulse imports was only 9 percent during 2020-21, which increased to 23.1 percent by 2024-25.

The government recently approved the Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses, under which the target has been set to increase domestic production of pulses to 35 million tons by 2030-31. A budget of ₹11,440 crore has been allocated for this mission.

According to data from the Union Agriculture Ministry, domestic production of pulses increased by 4 percent compared to 2023-24, reaching 25.23 million tons in the entire marketing season of 2024-25.

A production target of 27 million tons of pulses has been set for the 2025-26 season, including 8.05 million tons in the Kharif season, 16.59 million tons in the Rabi season, and 2.39 million tons in the summer (Zaid) season.

Currently, there are sufficient stocks of pulses within the country, and prices are stable. The government is facing widespread pressure to restrict the import of yellow peas, but it appears to be less serious about curbing this.