Pulses and Edible Oil in India

Pulses and Edible Oil in India

News: There are two agricultural commodities in which India is significantly import-dependent: Edible oil and pulses.

Background:
 But, in recent years it is seen that India has become relatively Atmanirbhar in Pulses production, credit mainly to the increased chana production.

About Pulses in India:
 India is the largest producer (25% of global production), consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
 Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, Rabi pulses contribute more than 60% of the total production.

 In quantity terms, India’s imports of pulses came down from 6.61 mt in 2016-17 to 2.52 mt in 2022-23.
 India’s pulses output has increased from 19 mt in 2013-14 to 28 mt in 2022-23, which translates into a self-sufficiency ratio of over 90% in pulses (40% for edible oils). Thus, increased domestic production is one reason.
 Secondly, import of chana has dropped significantly. The boost came from 2 government measures i) levy of a 60% import duty on chana since March 2018 ii) government procurement at minimum support prices (MSP). It has incentivised Indian farmers to expand the area under the pulses crop grown during the rabi (winter-spring) season.

About Edible oil in India:
 The quantum of imports of edible oils has surged from 8 mt to 16 mt between 2013- 14 and 2022-23 (from ~$7 to 21 billion in value terms).

 To keep a check on it the government has intervened through National Mission on Edible Oils (Oil Palm) [NMEO (OP)] and National Food Security Mission – Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NFSM-OS and OP): The government has been implementing this Centrally-sponsored scheme from 2018-19 to increase the production and productivity of oilseeds in the country.