look news india
New Delhi: Despite all the efforts of the government, the prices of pulses have been increasing in double digits for the last several months. Now the government has asked all the companies to speed up the supply of pulses to control the prices. Strict action has also been taken against traders hoarding pulses. The government is mainly concerned about the increase in the prices of arhar dal. Efforts are being made to facilitate the import of arhar dal. Ways to increase the production of pulses are also being seriously considered and there may be an announcement in this regard in the new government. Less production of pulses as compared to consumption is the main reason for increasing prices.
An increase of 20.73 percent was recorded in December last year, 19.5 percent in January this year, 18.90 percent in February and 17 percent in March. In view of this, the government has made the import of Arhar, Manh and Masar pulses duty free till March 2025. From April last year to March this year (fiscal year 2023-24), pulses worth $3.7 billion were imported, which is 93 percent more than the pulses imported in the last financial year 22-23. This year 10 lakh tonnes of yellow peas have been imported into India.
Price of arhar dal increased by Rs 20 per kg in three months
The wholesale price of arhar dal has increased by Rs 20 per kg in the last three months. The price of arhar dal has reached Rs 160 per kg in the retail market. Now the government is trying to facilitate the import of arhar dal from countries like Myanmar, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya. Trade with Myanmar in local currency is being encouraged. However, imports are sometimes affected due to the weak political conditions of these countries. Efforts are also being made in this direction at the government level. Pigeon pea is not produced in any other country except these four-five countries and its consumption is mainly in the countries of Asia.
Indian companies are depositing abroad
The special thing is that many Indian companies are going to these countries and buying arhar dal, but are not bringing it to India. This is also affecting the price of arhar dal. The price of masar dal from Canada is somewhat stable. 20 thousand tonnes of pulses are being imported from Brazil.
Farmers will be attracted by increasing MSP of Arhar dal
According to Suresh Aggarwal, President of All India Dal Millers Association, 24-25 lakh tonnes of arhar dal is expected to be produced this year, whereas two years ago the production was 42-43 lakh tonnes. Therefore, farmers do not want to cultivate arhar dal because it takes seven to eight months. Whereas crops like gram and soybean are ready in four months. At present the minimum support price (MSP) of arhar dal is Rs 7,000 per quintal which is not very attractive for the farmer. If the MSP of pigeon pea is increased to Rs 9,000 per quintal, then farmers can show interest in growing pigeon pea.