Trade Talk with G. Chandrashekhar/
Kharif Season Pulse Sowing Wraps Up

0:35 To begin with, let’s rundown the final sowing area numbers for the major kharif pulse crops. Looks like the hectares are down on the year for pigeon peas, black matpe and moong, right?

3:27 Let’s look at production next. The monsoon is a big factor here, of course. Could you touch on how it has unfolded since the end of July and what this means for pulse production?

5:37 In light of the latest seeded area numbers and weather developments, what are your production estimates for pigeon peas, black matpe and moong this kharif season?

12:15 Last time we spoke, you projected India’s import need at 2.5 to 3 million MT of pulses in 2022-23. Has anything happened since then to change your mind?

14:08 As the festival season starts up in India, are you seeing any surprises in terms of demand? And could you discuss how pulse prices are behaving?

15:44 What do you expect from the public procurement agencies in 2022-23? I understand NAFED plans to sell chana stocks and has been directed to purchase imported black matpe.

17:50 Lastly, the news reports and images coming out of neighboring Pakistan have been alarming. The UN has referred to the extensive flooding there as “a monsoon on steroids”. The death toll has topped a thousand, millions have been left homeless, the damage to infrastructure has been widespread and 2 million hectares of crops have been affected, raising food security concerns. Do you see a role for India and the greater pulse industry to help the people there?