Pulse Imports to Stabilize Prices Despite Favorable Kharif Sowing
India’s reliance on pulse imports persists despite strong harvests, driven by agricultural challenges and supply gaps.
India continues to import pulses despite a successful kharif sowing season, driven by supply-demand gaps and agricultural challenges. Pulses, a key protein source, are critical to India’s food security, but domestic production falls short of demand.
The 2025 kharif season saw robust sowing, yet factors like unpredictable weather, pest issues, and limited storage infrastructure have kept imports necessary. India sources pulses from countries like Canada, Australia, and Myanmar, with imports valued at billions annually.
The government is promoting pulse cultivation through subsidies and research, but progress is slow. Farmers face challenges like low yields and market price fluctuations, discouraging production. Efforts to improve irrigation and pest-resistant crops are underway, but scaling these solutions takes time.
Imports ensure stable supply and prices, but reliance on foreign markets raises concerns about long-term food security.
The agriculture ministry is focusing on increasing domestic output through better seeds and farming techniques. Addressing these issues requires investment in infrastructure, technology, and farmer support to reduce import dependency and strengthen India’s agricultural resilience.
Source: Outlook Business
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