Page 7 - Pulses

Govt considers raising import duty on pulses

The Union agriculture ministry is considering whether to, after a long while, raise the import duty on pulses. Bumper output this season has led to a slide in prices.A large part of annual demand is met by import, as domestic output has never sufficed. Since January, the estimated import is 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes.A recent meeting of central ministers on a related issue saw a suggestion to raise the import duty, to bolster prices for farmers, to avoid an adverse impact on sowing for the next kharif. Sources say it was decided the agriculture ministry would discuss this with other ministries and departments. Pulses' importers say they have yet to be consulted. Earlier, they'd suggested more flexible stock limits, tightened when prices were rising. Now, however, it appears most of the pulses grown in the kharif are trading below their respective minimum support prices (MSPs) at several wholesale markets across the country. "The government should not look at a short-term measure for ...

Govt mulls extending fumigation exemption for Canadian pulses

The government will consider extending the exemption given to traders for fumigating pulses imported from Canada at Indian ports instead of the country of origin.India has made it mandatory to fumigate imported crops with methyl bromide, a restricted use pesticide, in the country of origin.However, the government has been giving exemption to traders importing pulses from Canada -- the world's largest pulses exporter -- which has banned the use of the fumigant on environmental grounds. The current exemption is valid till March 31, 2017."The issue is under active consideration. We may consider continuing exemption (to Canada) after looking into our production and import data," a senior Agriculture Ministry official told PTI.Trade bodies have made several representation on this issue. A meeting will be held next week to take a final call, the official added.The official said that the exemption may be continued for only short period as the country is taking steps to protect ...

Five-year map to raise pulses output

Centre wants to raise pulses output to 24 million tonnes by 2020-2021

Record yield has pulses prices slide below MSP

Trade wants stock limits lifted as prices of most varieties trading below MSP

India might be self-sufficient in pulses in 2-3 years: Radha Mohan Singh

India produced about 16.5 million tonnes of pulses in 2015-16 crop year (July-June)

Govt creates pulses buffer stock of one million tonnes so far

Buffer stock of pulses would be used to intervene in the market in case of price rise

Govt nod for professional agency to manage pulses buffer stock

Adequate capacity of storage of pulses is available with the Central Warehousing Corporation

Madhya Pradesh aims to raise pulse output by 60%

In the FY16, Govt imported a record 5.8 mt of pulses after domestic prices more than doubled

MP aims to raise pulse output to help India reach self-sufficiency goal

Due to shortage of the protein-rich food, India has to fork out about $2.65 bn a year on import

C S C Sekhar: Pulses sector heading for a crisis

A procurement mechanism needs to be put in place to avert misery for farmers

Creating separate agency to manage pulses buffer not feasible: CACP Chief

Interview with Vijay Paul Sharma, chairman of the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices

MSP of pulses should be realistically fixed if Centre wants to double farmer's income

Centre declared MSP of Rs 4,000 per quintal or Rs 40 per kg for chana in the 2016-17 crop

Centre unveils faster-maturing pulses variety

The variety will yield 20 quintals a hectare and mature in around 120 days as against 170-180 days

After post offices, Centre now plans to sell pulses through khadi bhandar outlets

Pulses prices have risen by around Rs 20-30 per kg in most retail markets across the country in the last one month

Centre rejects draft Bill to control prices of pulses

Maharashtra will have to wait more for the proposed law to regulate prices of pulses. The Centre has sent back the state's draft Bill, questioning the very need of such a law when the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 already provides stringent provisions to curb hoarding and control prices. The Centre has also questioned why the provision for imprisonment, in case of violation, is lower than the Essential Commodities Act."The Centre has objected to the provision for three-month imprisonment to be extended to up to one year. Under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, there is provision of imprisonment up to seven years. The Centre has sought clarification and questioned the very need for a special act," said a state government official.Now, either the state Cabinet or the chief minister will have to approve the modification. "The food and civil supplies department, after seeking the opinion of legal experts, will seek approval of the Chief Minister or Cabinet," the official added.In Apri

Kharif Crop Survey 1: Bumper pulses output likely this year

Sowing acreage is estimated to be higher and crop estimates more optimistic in kharif season, but govt estimates often vary from what market participants claim

Post offices to sell pulses this Diwali

Centre to use India Post network of 154,000 outlets to sell chana, tur and urad

FIs may hold 51% in pulses management agency

Centre is also in the process of floating tenders for inviting agencies to store and manage pulses

Pulses MSP in rabi season: Hike of Rs 475/quintal recommended

The MSP is the rate at which the government buys the grain from farmers

Nafed to procure 7-lakh tonne pulses for buffer stock

Government is setting up a buffer stock of 20 lakh tonnes of pulses through domestic procurement