The Indian pulses industry has reiterated its call for the importation of yellow peas into the nation amid forecasts of a moderate El Nino, which is projected to cause decreased rainfall. At a conference held on Wednesday to review the availability and supply of pulses in the nation, the trade group India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) requested the government to permit the import of yellow peas. “With the effects of El Nino in mind, it is wise to plan ahead to handle any situation that may arise.
According to Bimal Kothari, chairman of the IPGA, “We have encouraged the government to allow the imports of yellow peas with the caveat that the imports should be subject to a specific amount of tax structure so that the landing cost of imported yellow peas is greater than the minimum support price of chana. According to him, such a step will protect the interests of shoppers, farmers, the government, and business and industry. Prices for several pulse kinds, such as tur, and urad, are currently high due to the nation’s limited supply of these crops.
But rabi pulses like chana and lentils, which are oversupplied and trading below the minimum support prices, are still readily available. The limited group currently includes yellow peas. Due to the nation’s record-breaking chana harvest, the government has so far been reluctant to let imports of yellow peas. Despite an increase in procurement, allowing the import of yellow peas is anticipated to put additional pressure on chana prices, which are now below the MSP. By May 10, Nafed had purchased over 18.5 lakh tonnes (lt) of chana, worth over 9,873 crore, and 48,633 tonnes of lentils, worth over 291 crore.
Below the MSP of $5,335 per quintal, chana prices continue to be regulated in the range of $4,600 to $4,800 in various mandis in MP. Similarly to this, the modal price of lentils is around $5,250 to $5,500, which is less than the MSP of $6,000 per quintal. According to the second advance projection, chana production would reach a record 13.63 million tonnes (mt), up from 13.54 mt last year. Additionally, compared to last year’s 12.69 lt, the production of lentils is expected to be greater at 15.99 lt.
