India's Pulses Imports in FY24 Hit 6-Year High | 22 Apr 2024

Source: ET

Why in News?

India's pulses imports skyrocketed 84% in fiscal 2024, reaching a six-year high. This jump follows lower production and the government's decision to waive import duties on red lentils and yellow peas.

What is the Current Status of Pulses in India?

• India’s Pulses Production Status:
  • 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% of the area under foodgrains and contribute around 7%-10% of the total foodgrains production in the country.
  • Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka are the top five pulses-producing states. 
• India’s Pulses Import Status:
  • India imported 4.65 million metric tons of pulses in the fiscal year 2023-24 (up from 2.53 million tons in 2022-23), the highest since 2018-19.
    • In value terms, imports of pluses jumped 93% to USD 3.75 billion.
  • Red lentil imports, particularly from Canada, doubled to 1.2 million tons.
  • Duty-free imports from December onwards led to a rise in yellow pea imports from Russia and Turkey.
  • The South Asian nations including India, usually import pulses from Canada, Myanmar, Australia, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
• Pulses:
  • Temperature: Between 20-27°C
  • Rainfall: Around 25-60 cm.
  • Soil Type: Sandy-loamy soil.
  • These are the major sources of protein in a vegetarian diet.
  • Being leguminous crops, all these crops except arhar help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air. Therefore, these are mostly grown in rotation with other crops.
  • Pulses are grown throughout the agricultural year.
  • Rabi Pulses (contribute over 60%): Gram (chickpea), Chana (Bengal gram), Masoor (lentil), Arhar (pigeon pea).
    • Rabi crops require a mild cold climate during the sowing period, during vegetative to pod development- cold climate, and during maturity/ harvesting - warm climate.
  • Kharif Pulses: Moong (green gram), Urad (black gram), Tur (arhar dal).
    • Kharif pulse crops require a warm climate throughout their life from sowing to harvesting.

What are India’s Initiatives to Boost Pulses Production?

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses:
  • The NFSM-Pulses initiative, led by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, operates in 28 States and 2 Union Territories including Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
  • Key Interventions Under NFSM-Pulses:
    • Assistance to farmers through States/UTs for various interventions.
    • Cropping system demonstrations.
    • Seed production and distribution of HYVs/hybrids.
    • Additionally, the establishment of 150 Seed Hubs for Pulses has significantly contributed to increasing the availability of quality pulse seeds.
• Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme:
  • This comprehensive umbrella scheme (launched in 2018) comprises three components:
    • Price Support Scheme (PSS): Procurement from pre-registered farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
    • Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): Compensates farmers for price differences.
    • Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS): Encourages private sector participation in procurement.
• ICAR's Role in Research and Variety Development:
  • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the productivity potential of pulse crops through research and development efforts. The ICAR focuses on:
    • Basic and strategic research on pulses.
    • Collaborative applied research with State Agricultural Universities.
    • Development of location-specific high-yielding varieties and production packages.
    • During the period from 2014 to 2023, an impressive 343 high-yielding varieties and hybrids of pulses have been officially recognised for commercial cultivation across the country.

What are the Reasons Behind India’s Dependence on Pulses Imports?

• Shifting Cropping Patterns:
  • Traditionally, farmers in India practised crop rotation with pulses. However, in recent decades, there has been a shift towards cultivating water-intensive cereals like rice and wheat due to the following reasons.
    • Rice and wheat are staples in most Indian diets, leading to a rise in consumption demands.
    • Government incentives like higher margins over the average cost of production in MSPs and assured procurement for these crops.
    • Availability of better irrigation facilities in some areas.
• Lower Profitability:
  • Pulses often offer lower returns per hectare compared to cereals. This discourages farmers from planting them, especially on fertile and irrigated land.
• Climate Challenges:
  • Erratic rainfall and droughts can negatively impact pulse production, which are generally rain-fed crops.
• Limited Technological Advancements:
  • Compared to cereals and cash crops, research and development in pulse and higher susceptibility to diseases and pests.

What can be Done to Ensure India’s Self-Sufficiency in Pulses?

• Boosting Domestic Production:
  • Offering minimum support prices (MSPs) for pulses that are competitive with other crops like rice and wheat.
  • Providing subsidies for seeds, fertilisers, and other agricultural inputs specific to pulses.
  • Offering crop insurance schemes to mitigate risks associated with weather fluctuations.
• Promote Crop Rotation:
  • Encouraging the farmers to integrate pulses back into their cropping patterns by highlighting the long-term benefits of crop rotation for soil health and sustainable farming.
• Develop High-Yielding Varieties:
  • Investing in research and development of drought-resistant, high-yielding pulse varieties suited to different regional conditions.
  • Encourage the adoption of these improved varieties through farmer training and extension programs.
• Improving Irrigation Infrastructure:
  • Expanding irrigation facilities to areas suitable for pulse cultivation, particularly drought-prone regions.
  • Promoting water-efficient irrigation techniques like drip irrigation to conserve water.
• Mitigating Price Fluctuations:
  • Improving storage facilities for pulses to minimise post-harvest losses and ensure price stability throughout the year.
  • Streamline Supply Chain Management: Enhance efficiency in the supply chain to reduce transportation costs and minimise price manipulation by middlemen.
• Promotion of Alternative Protein Sources:
  • Encouraging dietary diversification (addressing hidden hunger) by promoting the consumption of protein-rich alternatives like lentils, millets, and even eggs.