​Farmers’ pulse: on India and its demand for pulses

Context & The Gist

The article addresses the ongoing issue of India’s dependence on pulse imports to meet domestic demand, despite efforts to boost domestic production. This issue has gained prominence due to recent trade discussions with the U.S., where concerns arose about potential commitments to purchase pulses from American suppliers. The central argument is that structural reforms in India’s agricultural sector, particularly regarding procurement and MSP guarantees for pulses, are crucial to achieving genuine food security and protecting the interests of Indian farmers.

The article highlights the vulnerability of Indian farmers growing pulses due to a lack of reliable support mechanisms, contrasting it with the robust systems in place for rice and wheat. It emphasizes that merely addressing trade agreements isn't enough; systemic changes are needed to incentivize pulse cultivation and reduce import dependence.

Key Arguments & Nuances

• Import Dependence & Farmer Vulnerability: India’s demand for pulses exceeds domestic production, necessitating imports. However, these imports can depress domestic prices, harming farmers who lack the benefits of a strong MSP regime.
• Ineffective MSP Procurement: Government procurement under the Price Support Scheme has been consistently low (2.9%-12.4% of production between 2019-24), and inadequate procurement infrastructure forces farmers to sell to private traders at potentially unfavorable prices.
• The U.S. Trade Deal Concerns: The potential obligation to purchase pulses from the U.S. raises concerns about prioritizing foreign producers over Indian farmers, echoing sensitivities from the 2020-21 farm law protests.
• Self-Sufficiency Mission Skepticism: While the government has launched initiatives like the ₹11,440 crore self-sufficiency Mission, farmers remain skeptical due to unfulfilled past promises.
• Structural Reforms are Key: The article argues that addressing the procurement deficit, providing genuine MSP guarantees, investing in productivity improvements, and creating market systems that reward pulse farmers are essential for long-term sustainability.

UPSC Syllabus Relevance

• GS Paper 2: Government Policies & Interventions – Issues related to agricultural policies, MSP, and food security.
• GS Paper 3: Economy – Crop diversification, agricultural marketing, and the impact of trade policies on the agricultural sector.
• GS Paper 3: Science and Technology – Agricultural productivity and technological advancements in rain-fed areas.

Prelims Data Bank

• Pulse Production & Demand (2024): India’s pulse output is around 2.5 crore tonnes, while demand is estimated at 3 crore tonnes.
• Self-Sufficiency Mission: Launched in October 2025, with a ₹11,440 crore outlay, targeting 310 lakh hectares of cultivation and 350 lakh tonnes of production by 2030-31.
• MSP Procurement (2019-24): Government procurement under the Price Support Scheme fluctuated between 2.9% and 12.4% of production.
• Protein Intake: Pulses account for roughly a quarter of non-cereal protein intake in India.

Mains Critical Analysis

The core issue highlighted is the systemic neglect of pulse farmers in India, leading to a vicious cycle of underinvestment, low yields, and import dependence. This is exacerbated by the disproportionate focus on rice and wheat in government procurement policies.

Challenges

• Procurement Infrastructure Deficit: Inadequate procurement centers and weak mechanisms hinder effective implementation of the MSP.
• Rain-fed Cultivation Risks: Pulses are often grown in rain-fed areas, making them vulnerable to weather fluctuations and lower yields.
• Trade Policy Conflicts: Trade agreements can potentially undermine domestic prices and farmer interests if not carefully negotiated.
• Lack of Farmer Trust: Past unfulfilled promises erode farmer confidence in government initiatives.

Opportunities

• Diversification Incentive: Promoting pulse cultivation can diversify India’s agricultural landscape and reduce reliance on water-intensive crops like rice and wheat.
• Income Enhancement: Strengthening MSP and procurement mechanisms can significantly improve the income of pulse farmers.
• Food Security Enhancement: Increasing domestic production can enhance India’s food security and reduce vulnerability to global price fluctuations.
• Technological Intervention: Investing in research and development to improve pulse yields and develop climate-resilient varieties.

A critical gap lies in the lack of a holistic and long-term strategy for pulse production. Current policies are often reactive, focusing on import management rather than proactive measures to support domestic farmers.

Value Addition

• CACP Recommendations: The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) regularly provides recommendations on MSP for various crops, including pulses.
• National Food Security Act, 2013: While primarily focused on rice and wheat, the NFSA also recognizes the importance of pulses in ensuring food security.
• Model Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act: Reforms in APMC Acts are crucial for creating efficient market systems for pulses.

Context & Linkages

This past article highlights the cyclical nature of India’s pulse policy – fluctuating import duties in response to price volatility. It reinforces the argument that addressing the underlying procurement issues is more effective than relying on import controls. The current article builds on this by emphasizing the need for structural reforms beyond just import duties.

This article discusses the broader context of India-US trade negotiations and the challenges of protecting domestic agriculture. It complements the current article by highlighting the potential risks of opening up the market to U.S. pulses and the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes Indian farmer interests.

While this article focuses on overall commodity supply comfort, it indirectly supports the argument for strengthening domestic production. A comfortable domestic supply of pulses would reduce India’s vulnerability to global price shocks and geopolitical events.

The Way Forward

• Strengthen Procurement Infrastructure: Invest in establishing more procurement centers, particularly in rain-fed areas, and improve logistics for efficient procurement.
• Guarantee MSP & Timely Payments: Ensure a reliable MSP regime for pulses and ensure timely payments to farmers.
• Invest in Productivity Improvements: Promote research and development to develop high-yielding, climate-resilient pulse varieties.
• Promote Crop Diversification: Incentivize farmers to diversify their cropping patterns and include pulses through awareness campaigns and financial assistance.
• Develop Market Linkages: Create market systems that connect farmers directly with consumers and processors, reducing reliance on intermediaries.
• Re-evaluate Trade Agreements: Carefully negotiate trade agreements to protect the interests of Indian farmers and ensure food security.