- This happened due to lower production that prompted India to import red lentils and yellow peas.
- Why does India import pulses?
- To ensure stable supplies in domestic market and keep prices under check.
- Pulses inflation was at 17% in March 2024.
- Shortfall in domestic output following deficit rainfall in growing areas.
- Ministry of Agriculture estimates pulses production in 2023-24 will be at 234 lakh tonnes, lower than last year production (261 lakh tonnes).
- Pulses sowing area has reduced by 16% from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
- To ensure stable supplies in domestic market and keep prices under check.
- India’s Status with respect to Pulses
- India is largest producer, consumer and importer of Pulses in world.
- India imported 4.65 million metric tons of pulses in FY2023-24.
- Major producing states: Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, etc.
- Major import countries: Canada, Australia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Brazil etc.
- About Pulses
- Type of leguminous crop that are harvested for dry seed. E.g. Chickpeas, pigeon peas etc.
- Grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. Rabi pulses contribute more than 60% of total production.
- Significance of Pulses
- Major sources of protein.
- Nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, which increases productivity of farmland.
Initiatives taken to promote Pulses
|