India's Potential Pulse-Import Crisis by 2030: Ashok Gulati's Warning

India may need to import 80-100 lakh tonnes of pulses by 2030 if current government policies continue. Agri-economist Ashok Gulati highlights the need for incentivizing pulse cultivation over water-intensive crops like paddy. A balanced incentive structure could help achieve self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imports.

India may need to import 80-100 lakh tonnes of pulses by 2030 if existing government policies favoring paddy cultivation persist, warns agri-economist Ashok Gulati.

He emphasized the necessity of offering incentives to farmers for growing pulses, which require less water and are more nutritious compared to paddy. Gulati, former Chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), called for a 'crop-neutral incentive structure' to encourage pulse and oilseed cultivation.

At a briefing organized by the India Pulses & Grains Association (IPGA) during the 'Bharat Dalhan Seminar 2024,' Gulati stressed that policy changes could make India self-sufficient in pulses. Current government subsidies heavily favor paddy, leading to skewed farming practices. He noted that Food Corporation of India (FCI) holds excessive rice stocks, and despite export bans, the country exported 16 million tonnes of rice last fiscal year.

Gulati also advocated for the adoption of genetically modified technology in food crops and proposed an export duty over outright bans on food item exports.

India heavily imports edible oils, with more than 50% of domestic cooking oil demand being met through imports.

(With inputs from agencies.)