India may need to import huge 10 million tonnes of pulses to tame prices: ASSOCHAM study

Sunday, November 01, 2015

India may have to import a large quantity of 10 million tonnes of pulses if the domestic production-consumption mismatch has to be bridged, leaving the government with a daunting task, an ASSOCHAM study has said.

"Considering deficit in rainfall for 2015-16, it is expected that the production of pulses for the year would decrease slightly to 17 million tonnes as against 17.2 million tonnes recorded in 2014-15. Further with the rise in demand it is expected that a total of 10.1 million tonnes of pulses might have to be imported," the paper noted.

But given the global supply constraints, the demand-supply gap may be difficult to achieve this year. "While we are coping with the difficult situation this year, we cannot afford to continue with it since shooting prices of essential food items create adverse eco system and negative discourse. Besides, it adds to food prices which cannot be allowed again to creep into the main inflation," ASSOCHAM Secretary General Mr D S Rawat said.

Maharashtra is the largest kharif pulses producer in the country followed by Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The respective shares of these major states in total kharif pulse production are 24.9, 13.5, 13.2, 10.0 and 8.4 percent respectively. These five States together account for about 70.0 percent of the country's total kharif pulse production. All these states have witnessed weather related issues affecting the production, the paper said.

The issue of meeting the domestic demand for pulses goes beyond facing the challenge of footing increased import bill. The efficient distribution of available pulses across regions is going to be the biggest challenge to the policy makers." Therefore, it would remain a challenge for the Central and state governments to ensure significant improvement in the pricing situation The inefficient supply systems coupled with inherent weaknesses in regional markets in India are expected to further contribute to problem".

Besides, from the long term perspective, excessive imports would affect India's efforts towards achieving self sufficiency, ensuring rural livelihood and ensuring country's nutritional security. Therefore, the Government must prepare an implementable action plan to incentivize farmers to cultivate more pulses by providing seeds and technical support, the chamber added.

The major pulse crops grown in India are Gram and Tur. Gram, with a production of 3 more than 7 million tonnes, contributes more than 41 percent in the total pulse production of the country. Tur, with a production of 2.7 million tonnes and a contribution of about 16 percent, is the second major pulse crop. Other leading pulse crops in India are Urad and Moong.

Summary Table: Expected Imports 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16Production (Million Tonnes) 17.09 18.34 19.25 17.2 17Imports (Million Tonnes) 2.8 3.2 3.4 4.4 Population ('000) 1201863 1213370 1228785 1244036 1244036Per Capita Net Availability (Grams Per Day) 43 41.7 43.3 47.2 Per Capita Consumption (KG) 20.8 21 21.3 21.6 21.8Monthly Per capita Consumption expenditure (Rs.) 96 108.9 123.5 140 158.8Total Consumption Demand (Million Tonnes) 25 25.5 26.2 26.8 27.1Demand Supply Gap 10.1Total Required Import in Million Tonnes (Production - Consumption) 10.1Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India

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