India's Self-Sufficiency in Pulses Surpasses Edible Oils: A Look into Recent Trends

India's Self-Sufficiency in Pulses Surpasses Edible Oils: A Look into Recent Trends

Introduction: India, a significant importer of agricultural commodities such as edible oils and pulses, has witnessed a notable shift in the dynamics of these two sectors. While the country's dependence on imported edible oils continues to rise, there has been a reversal in the trend of pulses imports. This article examines the factors behind India's relative self-sufficiency in pulses compared to edible oils and explores recent trends in the import/export of pulses.

Background: India's vegetable oil imports have experienced a substantial surge, reaching approximately Rs. 167,200 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal year, compared to Rs. 44,000 crore in 2013-14. Out of the annual consumption of 24-25 million tonnes of cooking oil in the country, only 9-10 million tonnes are domestically produced, with the remaining 14-15 million tonnes being imported. In contrast, the trend has been reversed for pulses.

Pulses Overview: Pulses are edible seeds belonging to the legume family, offering a valuable source of protein in the Indian diet. India's reliance on pulses is significant, as they provide protein to a carbohydrate-rich diet. With a protein content of 20-25 percent by weight, pulses surpass wheat and rice in protein density. Major pulse varieties in India include chickpeas, pigeon peas, moong beans, urad, masur, peas, and various types of beans. The cultivation of pulses is prominent in regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Import/Export Trends of Pulses: India holds the distinction of being the largest global producer of pulses. In the year 2021-22, India exported approximately 410,375.89 metric tonnes of pulses worth around Rs. 2,800 crores. Key export destinations for Indian pulses include the UAE, China, the US, Nepal, Canada, and Iran. In terms of imports, the value of pulses imports has seen a marginal increase in the last nine years, rising from around Rs. 11,000 crores to approximately Rs. 15,800 crores. However, the quantity of imported pulses more than doubled from 3.18 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 6.61 million tonnes in 2016-17, before decreasing to 2.52 million tonnes in 2022-23.

Reasons for the Reversal: The reduction in pulses imports is primarily attributed to increased domestic production. India's pulses output rose from 19.26 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 27.50 million tonnes in 2022-23, according to the Agriculture Ministry. The government's measures, such as higher minimum support prices (MSP) and incentives to expand pulses cultivation during the rabi season, particularly for chana (chickpea), played a crucial role in boosting production. The MSP for chana increased from Rs. 3,100 to Rs. 5,335 per quintal between 2013-14 and 2022-23. However, other pulses like arhar (pigeon pea) and urad (black gram) have not experienced the same success.

Conclusion: India's achievement of self-sufficiency in pulses, with a self-sufficiency ratio of over 90%, is commendable. In contrast, the country still faces challenges in achieving self-sufficiency in edible oils, with only a 40% self-sufficiency ratio. While a subnormal monsoon could potentially impact pulse prices, the government has implemented measures to mitigate inflation by maintaining ample buffer stocks of chana and allowing duty-free imports of masoor, arhar, and urad.

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