Pulses Imports have hit a Seven-year High

General Studies Paper-3

Context

• In April 2024, the annual retail inflation for pulses was 16.84% and the imports hit a seven-year high.
• Production of Pulses in India
• 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 percent of the area under food grains and contribute around 7-10 percent of the total foodgrains production in the country.
• Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, Rabi pulses contribute more than 60 percent of the total production.
• Gram is the most dominant pulse having a share of around 40 percent in the total production followed by Tur/Arhar at 15 to 20 percent and Urad/Black Matpe and Moong at around 8-10 percent each.
• The regions with high productivity are Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal delta region, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal and eastern Karnataka and some parts of Maharashtra.

Surge in imports of Pulses

• India’s pulses imports were valued at $3.75 billion in 2023-24 (April-March), the highest since the record $3.90 billion and $4.24 billion of 2015-16 and 2016-17.
• In quantity terms, import of major pulses totaled 4.54 mt in 2023-24, up from 2.37 mt and 2.52 mt in the preceding two fiscals, although lower than the all-time-highs of 5.58 mt, 6.36 mt and 5.41 mt in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 respectively.
• Domestic production: There is a decline in domestic pulses production from 27.30 million tonnes (mt) in 2021-22 and 26.06 mt in 2022-23 to 23.44 mt in 2023-24, as per the Agriculture Ministry’s estimates.

Reasons for Low Production in India

• Low Productivity: Pulses have traditionally been a neglected crop because of the instability of its yields.
• Climate Variability: Pulses are often grown in rainfed areas where they are highly susceptible to climate variability, like erratic rainfall, droughts etc. which lead to yield fluctuations and lower production.
  • The El Niño-induced patchy monsoon and winter rain, is causing a decline in domestic pulses production in 2023-24
• Residual Crop: Pulses in India are considered a residual crop and grown under rain-fed conditions in marginal/less fertile lands, with very little focus on pest and nutrient management.
• Preference for Cash Crops: Farmers may prefer cultivating cash crops such as rice, wheat, and sugarcane over pulses due to assured procurement, higher market prices, and perceived lower production risks.
• Post Harvest Losses: There are post-harvest losses during storage, due to excessive moisture and attack by stored grain pests especially the pulse beetle
• With the advent of the Green Revolution, which promoted rice and wheat, pulses were pushed to the marginal lands. This resulted in decline in productivity and land degradation.
• Penetration and adoption of high yielding varieties (HYV) seeds are also low.

Measures taken by government to increase production

• PM-AASHA: To ensure remunerative prices to farmers, Government implements an umbrella scheme PM-AASHA comprising Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS) in order to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers for their produce of notified oilseeds, pulses and copra.
• Integrated scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) was launched in 14 major pulses growing states.
• National Food Security Mission: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing the National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses with the objectives of increasing production through area expansion and productivity enhancement in all the districts.
• Research and Development: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is undertaking basic and strategic research in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities for developing location-specific high yielding varieties of Pulses.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna: It was launched under which states can undertake Pulses Development Programmes.

Way Ahead

• Pulses offer a range of social, economic, and environmental benefits, making them valuable components of sustainable agriculture.
• Also consistent efforts are being made to attain self-sufficiency in pulses by 2027.
• Further enhancing farmer awareness and capacity-building initiatives can help improve productivity and production levels in the pulses sector.