Market Update/
India may formulate long-term policy to enhance pulse production 

In order to ensure the adequate supply and availability of pulses and reduce import dependency, the Central Government is formulating a comprehensive and integrated long-term policy that aims to increase domestic production, improve processing technology, reduce post-harvest losses and make it easer for crushers-processors to buy pulses directly from farmers. At the same time, the policy seeks to stabilize import duties in order to spare importers the adverse effects of frequent trade policy changes and to also avoid adversely impacting pulse production. The policy will also include a mechanism to ensure that the price of imported pulses will remain at about the MSP level.

According to trade analysts, governments should avoid frequent and abrupt policy changes, as they create difficulties and disrupt the value chain.

On March 10, the Central Consumer Affairs Department held a meeting to discuss the policy with India’s leading pulse processors as well as representatives from the trade sector and the top pulse industry organizations, at which many valuable suggestions were shared with the authorities.

The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of Consumer Affairs, who said, “All of the people related to the industry need to support one another. Storage efficiency will be enhanced. During war time, many countries run out of food stocks. We must have stocks for such emergencies.”  

Sunil Kumar Singh, Additional Managing Director at NAFED, said, "Machines are available at yards and other locations to help farmers check moisture levels.”

At the suggestion of the IPGA, a subsidy program will be implemented to enhance milling capacity. Additionally, a Minimum Import Price (MIP) is to be introduced.

Sunil Sachdeva, president of the Agri Farmer and Trade Association, suggested that fertilizers should be supplied on time to increase productivity. He said, “The government should focus on a policy to increase small pulse millers and processing units.”

Nitin Kalantry of Kalantry Food Products, Akola, briefed attendees on a number of issues facing millers and called for the introduction of long-term policies.