India, the world’s largest consumer and importer of pulses, is on track to become self-sufficient in production of the protein-rich commodity and will further boost the output to meet global demand. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Monday that the government has taken many measures including hike in the minimum support price and procurement of pulses to support farmers. The country had produced 23.40 million tonnes of pulses during 2018-19 crop year (July-June), still short of annual domestic demand of 26-27 million tonnes. The gap is met through imports.
However, for the current year, the government is targeting pulses output of 26.30 million tonne. Speaking at an event on the occasion of World Pulses Day, Tomar said, “pulses are becoming necessary not only in India but also in other countries. We faced huge shortage of pulses earlier but now the situation has improved.”
Research and development (R&D) at the government’s research body Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and appropriate policy intervention has helped achieve substantial increase in pulses output in last few years, he said.
The Minister also launched organic range of pulses at the day-long event, organised by cooperative Nafed and Dubai-based non-profit body Global Pulses Confederation (GPC).
As more number of people are becoming vegan across the world, Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand said, India has the opportunity to meet future demand but the country needs to take measures to improve yield level of pulses which at present are lower than pre-Green Revolution days of 1965. Nafed Additional Managing Director S K Singh said India can meet the pulses requirement of neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh from its surplus produce.