Pulses will be a 'critical problem' for 2-3 years: Govt

The government today said that availability of pulses will remain a critical problem for 2-3 years, though it is trying to raise production by two million tonnes in crop year 2010-11 to meet the domestic shortfall.

"There is a 2-3 million tonnes gap in pulses production. We are targeting 16.5 million tonnes this year, which is a two-million tonne jump over the previous year. Because of good rains, we hope to have good pulses production this year," Agriculture Secretary P K Basu told reporters here.

India is estimated to have produced 14.59 million tonnes of pulses in the 2009-10 crop year (July-June) against 14.57 million tonnes in the previous year. The annual demand is estimated at 18-19 million tonnes.

On high prices, Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar said: "So far as pulses are concerned, it is going to be a critical problem not only for now, but will be a problem for the next 2-3 years. This is because we don't have enough and our supply demand mismatch is estimated now at around 6 million tonnes."

The government is importing spices from all possible destinations to augment domestic availability, he added.

India had imported 3.5 million tonnes of pulses last fiscal. The government has asked public sector trading firm MMTC, STC, PEC and co-operative major Nafed to sell in the open market. It would give up to 15 per cent compensation if they incur losses.

Apart from these canalising agencies, private traders are also importing pulses at zero duty.

The government has banned the export of pulses because of a shortage in the domestic market.

The prices of pulses -- particularly moong, arhar and urad -- have risen significantly in the last two years. Arhar is available at Rs 72 per kg, urad at Rs 75 and moong at Rs 84 in the national capital.