Pulses Prices: Rapid fall in the prices of pulses, farmers are worried; know what is the matter

Pulses Prices Farmers are worried due to the rapid fall in the prices of pulses. The price of tur dal has come down to the level of almost four years ago. This is providing relief to the common people but farmers are not getting the expected profit. So far in the current financial year, more than 20 lakh tons of pea dal has been imported.

With the resolve to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses in the next four years, the prices of pulses are falling rapidly due to priority given to large scale imports. The price of pigeon pea has come down to the level of almost four years ago. This is providing relief to the common people, but the farmers are not getting the expected profit.

In view of the continuous increase in the prices of pulses for the past few years, farmers have started turning towards the cultivation of pulses, but the import policy may dampen their enthusiasm. Pulses are being imported in large quantities to meet domestic needs. This can be estimated from the fact that more than 20 lakh tonnes of pea dal has been imported so far in the current financial year.

MSP for five pulse crops

Due to such a large amount of import before the produce arrives from the fields, the prices of pulses have started to fall. This is providing relief to the consumers, but this is not a good trend for farmers and traders. The central government issues MSP for five pulse crops every year. The objective is to protect the farmers from loss, but in view of the increasing demand among consumers, the government started a two-pronged effort.

The government has the lowest stock of pulses

Firstly, strengthen the supply chain by increasing domestic production and secondly, balance the market by importing from other countries in the short term. Meanwhile, the buffer stock of pulses also has to be enriched, because during the last five years, the government has the lowest stock of pulses left.

Date and quantity of import extended

To fill the reserves, the government has set a target of purchasing 13.22 lakh tonnes of pulses in the current financial year. So far, more than 3.40 lakh tonnes have been purchased. This is fine, but the biggest problem faced by the farmers is that the date and quantity of duty-free import of yellow peas has been extended.

Why are farmers not getting good prices?

• Last year too, the government had imported about 67 lakh tonnes of pulses to meet the shortage of pulses. Two-thirds of this was yellow peas. This time too, about one-third of the potential requirement of peas has been imported so far.
• For the first time, peas were imported duty free on 8 December 2023. It has been continuing since then. The price of imported peas is Rs 3000 to Rs 3500 per quintal, while desi peas are Rs 3400 to Rs 3600 per quintal.
• Obviously, due to the import of cheap peas, even the domestic pea producers are not able to get a good price. Bundelkhand Dal Millers Association President Rajendra Jain has demanded from Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to stop the duty-free import of peas.

What do the experts say?

Experts say that the price of imported peas is the lowest. If duty is not imposed on it, farmers will shy away from cultivating pulses and in such a situation it will not be easy to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses.

Despite the announcement of 100% purchase of tur, masoor and urad, the prices of tur and masoor dal are less than the MSP. To make the country self-sufficient in pulses and to ensure fair prices to farmers, a decision should be taken not to extend the duty-free import of peas beyond 31 May. Also, keeping in mind the ongoing recession in the pulses business, the order of duty-free import of tur and urad for one year should be withdrawn. - Gyanesh Mishra, National President, Indian Agricultural Product Industry Trade Delegation

PC:Jagran