Supply of oilseeds, pulses to fall short

Supply of pulses and edible oil in India will fall short of the projected demand by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan period in 2016-2017, while that of sugar and cereals will be more than the estimated demand, says a Planning Commission working group.

The group said demand for cereals is expected to be around 235 million tonnes, while supplies will rise to 240-251 million tonnes. Sugar supplies will be around 41 million tonnes and demand will be around 26.5 million tonnes.

Edible oil demand is projected to reach 16.64 million tonnes, which will require 59 million tonnes of oilseeds.

“In the best possible production scenario, India will remain deficit in oilseeds,” the report said. Demand for vegetables and fruit are projected to reach 161 and 97 million tonnes, respectively, by the end of the 12th Plan.