Dependence on import of pulses in the country is likely to continue for another 6 to 7 years

- Bhoo Bazar : Dilip Shah

- Impact on pulses crop due to erratic rainfall this year: need to increase production per hectare in the country

The agriculture sector in the country has witnessed a rapid change of equations. India is considered as an agriculture-led country and the country has seen a significant increase in grain production in recent years. But in terms of pulses and edible oils, we still have to depend on imports. This was said by the experts of the agricultural world. Although there has been an increase in the production of various pulses and oilseeds in the country in recent years, we still have to depend on the import of these products as the domestic demand for pulses and edible oils is higher than the increase in production. However, the area under cultivation of various pulses and oilseeds has increased in the country. But the market informants are saying that the production growth has been slow as the production per hectare has remained low. Agricultural experts are saying that if there is an increase in the production per hectare, the production will increase and it can reduce the dependence on imports.

Meanwhile, according to the latest figures, the import of various pulses in the country during the period of 7 months from April to October in the current financial year has increased to about 19 lakh 60 to 65 thousand tons. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Union, the import of various pulses in the country in the financial year 2022-23 was about 24 lakh 95 to 96 thousand tons, while in the financial year 2021-22 such import was about 27 lakh tons. In 2020-21, this figure was 24 lakh 65 to 66 thousand tons and in 2019-20 such import was about 28 lakh 97 98 thousand tons. In the financial year 2018-19, such import of various pulses in the country was recorded as 25 lakh 27 to 28 thousand tons. Meanwhile, total domestic production of various pulses was around 260 to 261 lakh tonnes in the financial year 2022-23 as against 273 to 274 lakh tonnes in 2021-22. In 2020-21, this figure of production was found to be 254 to 255 lakh tonnes. While in 2019-20 such production was around 230 to 231 lakh tonnes. Before that, in 2018-19, such production was around 220 to 221 lakh tonnes. India imports pulses from Myanmar and Canada. However, recently political relations between India and Canada have become strained. And some segment of the market is also showing the possibility of changing the scenario.

In India this year, the pulse production in the country was affected due to the erratic course of the monsoon. In Karnataka, due to this, there has been a special impact on the production of Tuvar. Besides, there was news recently that the mango crop has also been affected. Beans-dal market informants said that the mung bean crop, which started in September, is not expected there. Chickpea and paddy crops have also been adversely affected. Heavy rains in July followed by dry weather in Karnataka have affected the production of mung, urad and tuvar. Tuvar is produced in the country mainly in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka. About 20 percent of the total production of Tuvar, Mung, Chana etc. in the country is done in Karnataka. After the completion of Kharif season, planting of Rabi season has started in the country. Looking at the statistics of the beginning of the rabi season, there has been a setback in the initial phase of sowing of pulses in the rabi season. According to agricultural experts, there has been a decline of about 8 to 9 percent in the cultivation of pulses in the primary phase of rabi season. Planting in rabi season has started late. In the month of December, pulses market players are keeping an eye on how the momentum is now in this Nanter. At the beginning of the rabi season, there were indications that the pace of planting was particularly slow in Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Meanwhile, according to a recently released survey, the present situation of deficit in local production against the demand of various pulses in the country is likely to continue for the next 6 to 7 years and the possibility of such deficit increasing is also being shown. The survey was recently presented by NABARD and Indian Council for Research and International Economic Relations.