Making India Pulses-Sufficient: The Past & The Future!!

The recent unprecedented spike in the prices of some of the pulses especially Pigeon Pea (Toor) and Black Gram (Urad) in India has brought back the important question of "Pulses-Sufficiency" and hence the national food and nutritional security of India. 

Pulses play a crucial role in Indian nutritional security due to their high protein content, complementary amino acid profile, affordability, accessibility, and dietary diversity. Pulses are a group of leguminous crops that include lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas. They are a staple in the Indian diet and have been consumed for centuries. 

The availability and affordability of pulses are key to India's National Food & Nutrition Security.

India produces 25% of all pulses in the world, consumes 27% of world production, and contributes 15% of the global pulses trade. India ranks first in terms of area and total production of pulses, in 2022-23, the total area under pulses was 30 million hectares and production was about 27 million tonnes while the demand was about 30 million tonnes. India is the largest importer of pulses. India's pulses imports grew from 0.17 million tonnes in 1980-81 to 3 million tonnes in 2022-23. 

Initiatives so far to Make India Pulses-Sufficient:

The Pulses Mission of the Government of India, known as the National Food Security Mission - Pulses (NFSM-Pulses), aims to increase the production, productivity, and availability of pulses in the country. It focuses on expanding the cultivation area, distributing quality seeds, disseminating agricultural technologies, and promoting best practices. The mission supports soil health management, provides price support through Minimum Support Prices (MSPs), and strengthens market linkages. By addressing various aspects of pulse cultivation and marketing, the mission seeks to enhance farmer income, bridge the demand-supply gap, and improve nutritional security by ensuring affordable pulses for the Indian population. The government has taken several policy initiatives to make India self-sufficient in pulses. These initiatives include:

1. Providing subsidies to produce pulses. The government provides subsidies for the procurement of seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs for pulse production. This helps to reduce the cost of production for farmers and makes it more profitable for them to grow pulses. The government provides on average a subsidy of Rs. 2,000 per hectare to produce pulses. This subsidy is available to all farmers who grow pulses, regardless of their income level. The subsidy is used to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs for pulse production.

2. Promoting the use of high-yielding varieties of pulses. The government has developed many high-yielding varieties of pulses that are resistant to pests and diseases. These varieties help to increase the productivity of pulse crops. The government has released many high-yielding varieties of pulses, including chana and moong. These varieties have been developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other research institutes. The high-yielding varieties have been effective in increasing the productivity of pulse crops.

3. Improving the infrastructure for pulse production and marketing. The government has built several storage facilities for pulses and improved the road network in pulse-producing areas. This has helped to reduce the post-harvest losses of pulses and make it easier to market them. The improved infrastructure has been effective in reducing the post-harvest losses of pulses. In 2021-22, the post-harvest loss of pulses was 5%. The government has taken many policy initiatives to make India self-sufficient in pulses.

These initiatives have been effective in increasing the production of pulses In 2000-2001, the country produced only 11 million tonnes of pulses. By 2022-23, this had increased to 27 million tonnes, an increase of over 140%.

However, there is still a long way to go before the country can become self-sufficient in pulses. The government needs to continue to invest in research and development, extension services, and infrastructure to support the growth of the pulse sector.

Way Forward to Make India Pulses-Sufficient:

Becoming pulse-sufficient is essential for India's food security and nutritional well-being. By implementing the recommendations outlined below, the Indian government can create an enabling environment for farmers to increase pulse production. 

1.  Enhancing Research and Development: To promote pulse cultivation, increased investment in research and development is crucial. This includes developing high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties, improving seed quality, and enhancing crop management techniques. Government institutions, agricultural universities, and research organizations must collaborate to expedite the development and dissemination of improved pulse varieties and advanced farming practices. Research efforts should focus on breeding new varieties that are adaptable to diverse agro-climatic conditions, have improved nutritional qualities, and exhibit resistance to pests and diseases. Furthermore, research institutions should conduct on-farm trials to assess the performance of these varieties under different ecological conditions and provide training and technical support to farmers for their successful adoption.

2.  Strengthening Extension Services: Effective knowledge transfer is essential for farmers to adopt new technologies and practices. Strengthening extension services at the grassroots level can bridge the gap between scientific advancements and farmers' needs. The government should invest in training programs, workshops, and demonstrations to educate farmers about modern techniques, pest management, crop rotation, and the importance of soil health in pulse production. Extension officers should be equipped with the latest information on pulse cultivation techniques and market trends. They should work closely with farmers, guiding them on crop planning, seed selection, nutrient management, and effective pest control measures. The dissemination of information should be tailored to the local context, considering the region-specific challenges and opportunities for pulse cultivation.

3.  Expanding Irrigation Facilities: Improving access to irrigation facilities is critical for increasing pulse production. Many regions in India still rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture, which limits crop productivity and hampers the expansion of pulse cultivation. The government should invest in irrigation infrastructure, including canal systems, drip irrigation, and water conservation methods, to ensure adequate water supply throughout the year and enable farmers to cultivate pulses in a larger area. Water management techniques, such as the promotion of efficient irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and the rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, should be prioritized. The government should also focus on incentivizing farmers to adopt water-saving practices and providing training on efficient irrigation methods. Collaborative efforts with farmers' organizations and community-based water management groups can help in the sustainable utilization of water resources. 

4.  Ensuring Affordable Credit and Insurance: Access to affordable credit is crucial for farmers to invest in pulse cultivation. The government should establish policies that provide low-interest loans, timely credit disbursement, and flexible repayment options to small and marginal farmers. Additionally, introducing crop insurance schemes specifically tailored for pulse crops can mitigate risks associated with weather fluctuations, pests, and diseases, providing a safety net for farmers. Crop insurance schemes should be designed to cover a range of risks, including yield losses, price fluctuations, and crop-related disasters, and premiums should be subsidized to make them affordable for farmers.

5.  Strengthening Market Linkages: Efficient market linkages are essential for farmers to receive fair prices and access broader markets. The government should establish robust procurement systems, create farmer-producer organizations, and promote contract farming for pulses. This will enable farmers to sell their produce at remunerative prices, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure a steady income stream, motivating them to invest in pulse cultivation. Procurement agencies should ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce in case the price is lower than the cost sufficient buffer must be provided to ensure farmers are not discouraged to grow pulses in the future especially those pulses which are regularly imported and are volatile like tur and urad. These agencies can also provide essential services such as quality testing, grading, and storage facilities. Contract farming agreements, backed by legal frameworks, should be promoted to provide farmers with assured markets, transparent pricing, and access to technical support.

6.  Encouraging Farmer Welfare Programs: To incentivize farmers and address socio-economic challenges, comprehensive farmer welfare programs should be implemented. These programs should focus on providing additional subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural machinery, as well as offering financial assistance for infrastructure development and marketing initiatives to those farmers who are cultivating low-yield pulses like moong, tur, and urad. 

7.  Trade Facilitation for Pulses: In addition to promoting domestic pulse production, trade facilitation measures can also contribute to ensuring pulse sufficiency in India. These measures can help in balancing domestic demand and supply, managing price fluctuations, and ensuring access to quality pulses. Some key trade facilitation strategies include:

• Streamlining Import Policies: Streamlining import policies and procedures can ensure a consistent and transparent import process. Government should also have a stable policy and should not change policy every season instead must have a 5-year policy. Government should also avoid outrightly banning the import and put all pulses under OGL (Open General List) and use import duties as a tool to ensure price parity as well as provide protection to Indian farmers.
• Quality Standards and Certification: Implementing and enforcing quality standards for imported pulses can ensure that only high-quality pulses enter the Indian market. Quality certification processes can be established to verify the adherence to these standards, providing assurance to consumers and promoting fair trade practices.
• Market Information Systems: Establishing robust market information systems can facilitate the monitoring of domestic and international pulse prices, production, and demand. Accurate and timely information will help policymakers and traders make informed decisions and respond to market dynamics effectively.
• Export Promotion: Encouraging and supporting the export of surplus pulses can create additional avenues for income generation for farmers. Government should also incentivize the export of processed pulses as it can provide important foreign exchange at the same time provide price protection when productivity is high in certain pulses. Export promotion policies, market access facilitation, and quality certification processes for exports can help Indian pulses gain a competitive edge in the global market.
• Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements: Engaging in bilateral and regional trade agreements can provide opportunities for expanding pulse exports and accessing new markets. Negotiating favourable trade terms and reducing trade barriers can enhance the competitiveness of Indian pulses in the international market.

Conclusion:

Achieving pulse sufficiency in India requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses policy changes, research and development, extension services, irrigation infrastructure, affordable credit and insurance, market linkages, and trade facilitation measures. The government's commitment to formulating and implementing supportive policies, backed by adequate funding and effective implementation, will play a crucial role in boosting pulse cultivation in India. Additionally, trade facilitation measures will contribute to balancing domestic demand and supply, ensuring access to quality pulses, and expanding market opportunities. By focusing on these policy and trade-related interventions, India can enhance its pulse production, reduce import dependence, and achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

About Author:

Deepak Pareek is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder in the agriculture technology domain He has 25 years of diverse experience working across 34 countries on various projects. He is a well-decorated technocrat honoured as Top 10 Agropreneur 2019 by Future Agro Challenge, Greece, and Technology Pioneer 2018 by World Economic Forum, Switzerland, and also advised various private, public, and multilateral organizations in the agriculture and technology domain.