Q1: What is the current status of India's pulses production?
India's pulses production has reached a record high of 26.96 million metric tonnes (MMT) in the year 2021-22. This represents a significant increase from the production levels of 19.26 MMT in 2013-14.
Q2: How has import dependency on pulses changed in recent years?
Import dependency on pulses has decreased from 19% in 2013-14 to around 9% in 2021-22. It is projected to further decrease to around 3% by the year 2030-31.
Q3: What has been the trend in the area under pulses cultivation and the yield?
The area under pulses cultivation has increased from 24.91 million hectares (Mha) in 2015-16 to 30.37 Mha in 2021-22. This expansion has been accompanied by an increase in the average yield, rising from 656 kg/ha to 888 kg/ha.
Q4: How has the government supported pulses production?
The government has taken measures to boost pulses production, resulting in a steady increase in production levels. This includes a significant increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and efforts to enhance procurement of pulses.
Q5: What role has MSP and procurement played in increasing production?
The government's commitment to timely increases in MSP has contributed to boosting pulses production. Procurement of pulses has also seen a substantial increase, with the central government procuring pulses at MSP.
Q6: What has been the impact on imports of pulses?
Import of pulses has been declining in recent years. From import volumes of 6.66 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2016-17, imports fell to around 2.46 MMT in 2020-21, the lowest in the last ten years.
Q7: What are the future projections for pulses production and import dependency?
Projections indicate that the import dependency on pulses is expected to decrease further to around 3.6% in 2030-31, down from 9% in 2020-21. This reduction can be achieved with a relatively small increase in production.
Q1: Which regions in India have high productivity of pulses?
The main regions with high productivity of pulses include Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal delta region, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal and eastern Karnataka, and some parts of Maharashtra.
Q2: What measures has the Indian government taken to boost pulses production?
The Indian government has implemented various measures to enhance pulses production with the goal of reducing import dependence. These efforts have resulted in a steady growth in pulses production. The production, which ranged from around 16-19 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) between 2010 and 2016, has notably increased to 25-27 MMT during the last two years. In fact, pulses production that was 18.24 MMT in 2010-11 has risen to a record level of 26.96 MMT in 2021-22, showing an increase of approximately 48 percent.
Q3: How has the import of pulses changed over the years?
During the period from 2010 to 2015, pulse imports were within the range of 2-5 MMT, valued between Rs. 7,500 to 17,000 crore per year. Imports reached a peak of 6.66 MMT, valued at Rs. 28,750 crores in 2016-17. Over the past five years, there has been an overall declining trend in pulse imports. The import volume fell to the lowest level of around 2.46 MMT in 2020-21, the lowest in the last ten years. During 2021-22 (April-March), imports remained below 2.7 MMT.
Q4: What is the projected dependency on pulses imports?
The projected dependency on pulses imports was around 9% of the demand in 2020-21. This is expected to decrease further to approximately 3.6% by 2030-31, as per the estimated projections.
Q5: How has pulses production and import changed over the years?
Over the years, pulses production in India has seen a steady increase, and import dependency has decreased. In 2013-14, production was 19.26 MMT, which increased to 25.46 MMT in 2020-21 and further to 26.96 MMT in 2021-22. On the other hand, pulse imports that were 17.15 MMT in 2014-15 dropped to 2.46 MMT in 2020-21 and remained within 2.7 MMT in 2021-22 (April-March).
Q.Arhar imports – from Mozambique, Myanmar, Tanzania, Malawi and Sudan – hit a record 0.9 mt in 2022-23. Equally interesting is masoor (red lentil), whose imports from Canada and Australia have crossed 1.1-1.2 mt in some years. That has partly to do with it becoming a substitute for arhar.
Q8: How has the government's focus on pulses impacted area, production, and yield?
Government efforts have led to an exponential increase in the area under pulses cultivation, production levels, and average yield. This indicates the success of systematic initiatives to enhance pulses production.
Q9: What has been the government's approach to MSP and procurement of pulses?
The government has consistently raised MSP and has significantly increased procurement of pulses. This commitment has contributed to boosting pulses production and supporting farmers.
Q10: How has the central government's procurement of pulses changed over the years?
Comparing the procurement figures from 2009-14 to 2016-21, the central government's procurement of pulses has increased by a remarkable 74.18 times, indicating a strong focus on supporting pulses farmers.**
