India is exploring the possibility of importing pulses from Afghanistan to boost domestic supply and to control retail prices that have soared up to Rs 200 a kg.
India recently signed an agreement with Mozambique to double imports of tur and other pulses from the African nation to 200,000 tonnes per annum in five years.
"India is also looking at Afghanistan as a possible supplier for pulses. We are exploring the possibility of importing pulses from Afghanistan," External Affairs Ministry Secretary (Economic Relations) Amar Sinha told reporters here on the sidelines of the Made in Afghanistan conference. "Farmers from Afghanistan will grow pulses if they have an assured market, while importing pulses will ensure our food security." The imports could start with small quantity of about 100,000 tonnes.
When asked about India's interest in contract farming for pulses, Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Abdul Qadeer Jawad said the country has the potential to grow pulses. "We grow kidney beans. We do not have big domestic market for pulses. But we have the potential to cultivate pulses," Jawad said.
India is facing a shortage of six-seven million tonnes of pulses to meet its domestic demand.
