In Pune, tur dal prices rose by over 10% in less than a month despite an open import policy. The industry cites raw material shortages and hoarding as reasons for the hike.
A lower pigeon pea crop in 2022-23 is likely to increase India’s import demand and traders are now looking to Myanmar to fill the gap | Latest News India
The consumer affairs department mandated transparent regular stock declarations by major importers, millers, traders, and other entities on 29 March amid high tur prices
Make pulses policy demand-centric
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On the occasion of World Pulses Day, the Union Minister for Agriculture has reportedly stated that the Centre aspires to boost pulses production to 32 million tonnes (mt) by 2030 from the current level of around 24 mt.
On the face of it, the target is commendable and somewhat ambitious; but a closer scrutiny tells another story. Currently, 24 mt production of pulses yields dal (milled pulse) fit for human consumption of 18 mt after accounting for seeding and milling losses.
For the current population of 1.35 billion people, the annual per capita availability is around 13.5 kg. Indeed, there is a well recognised skew in consumption of pulses wherein the poor get to consume much less than what the per capita availability number (13.5 kg) would suggest. It is this section of the population (approximately 350 million) living below the poverty line who deserve to consume more pulses that are an economical source of vegetable protein.