The government has procured over 15,000 tonnes of pulses so far from farmers in order to create a buffer stock, as per information provided by Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. This step has been taken as there has been continuous gap in supply and demand of the pulses. Last month, CCEA had approved creation of 1.5 lakh tonnes (LT) of buffer stock this year as retail prices are still ruling high at around Rs 180 per kg in most places.
The state-owned PSUs have imported 5,000 tonnes of tur dal and have floated tenders for an additional 10,000 tonnes. Private trade on the other hand has imported 4.4 million tonnes (MT) of pulses so far this fiscal. The procurement in Kharif and Rabi 2015-16 will be done at market price above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) out of the Price Stabilization Fund.
India is the world’s largest producer of pulses, but its domestic demand outstrips production. The shortfall is met through imports. The production of pulses in 2015-16 crop year (July-June) is expected to fall or remain flat due to a deficit monsoon.