New Delhi, 13/01/2024
India is on track to emerge as the world’s leading producer of lentils (masoor) in the upcoming 2023-24 crop year, reaching an unprecedented peak in production, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar. Despite being one of the top five global producers of lentils, with Canada leading the pack, India has traditionally relied on imports to fulfill its domestic demand.
Kumar, speaking during a prelude to the Global Pulse Conference (GPC) scheduled for February in New Delhi, expressed optimism about India’s lentil production. He revealed that, based on the current data, India’s lentil output is expected to reach an all-time high, potentially surpassing that of any other country in the world this year.
India’s lentil production had seen a decline since the peak in 2017-18 when it recorded a substantial output of 1.62 million tonnes. In the 2022-23 crop year, the country’s lentil production stood at 1.56 million tonnes, according to official data.
The surge in lentil cultivation is attributed to government initiatives incentivizing farmers to cultivate more pulses. Data from the Agriculture Ministry reveals an increase in lentil cultivation area to 19.45 lakh hectares as of January 12, 2024. This represents a 6% rise from the previous year and a remarkable 37% increase compared to the normal area allocated for lentil cultivation.
NAFED Managing Director Ritesh Chauhan expressed confidence in India’s journey toward self-sufficiency in lentil production. Referring to the inherent benefits of cultivating pulses, Chauhan quoted Home Minister Amit Shah, who emphasized the potential for farmers to have a “full fertilizer factory” in their fields through pulse cultivation.
Home Minister Shah, also the Union Minister for Cooperation, highlighted the government’s commitment to self-reliance in pulses. He announced an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for lentils to Rs 6,425 per quintal for the Rabi Marketing Season 2024-25, a significant jump from Rs 2,950 per quintal in 2014-15.
While India ranks second globally in lentil production, it has historically imported lentils to meet domestic requirements. Notably, during the April-October period of the current financial year (2023-24), India imported 9.46 lakh tonnes of lentils, marking a 159% increase from the previous year’s 3.65 lakh tonnes.
The latest developments underscore India’s ambitious strides towards self-sufficiency in lentil production, showcasing the impact of strategic policies and incentives on the agricultural landscape. The nation’s ascent to the forefront of global lentil production is poised to reshape international dynamics in the pulse market. As the industry watches these transformative changes unfold, stakeholders eagerly anticipate the outcomes of India’s remarkable agricultural journey.