IPGA Calls for Replacing Tur Dal with Other Pulses in Mid-Day Meal

The chairman of the IPGA, Bimal Kothari, stated that we have advised the government to release a tender for 5 lakh (500,000) tonnes of various pulses. Currently, the government exclusively invites tenders for tur pulses to cater to its mid-day meal program. In the event of this recommendation being implemented, it is expected that the prices of tur pulses will experience a decline.

With tur prices rising by 10% in a month, the India Pulses & Grains Association (IPGA) has urged the government to substitute lentils, masoor, and chana for tur dal in the government's mid-day meal programme. Tur dal output in the current crop year (July-June) is likely to be decreased due to unseasonal October rainfall in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

This has pushed up the price of the commodity. In the previous fiscal year, India imported 850,000 tonnes of tur (pigeon peas) to suit domestic demand. The Centre has also extended the 'free category' import of tur and urad pulses until March 31, 2024.

Tur production was estimated at 3.66 million tonnes (MT) in the second advance estimate for the 2022-23 crop year, a 13% decrease from the 4.22 MT estimated in the 2021-22 crop year. India imports tur pulses from Myanmar as well as east African countries such as Tanzania, Mozambique, and Sudan.

According to Kothari, India produced 27 million tonnes of pulses in FY23. "There is enormous scope for increasing Indian pulse exports," Kothari remarked. "We have requested cash incentives and new subsidies from the government in order to increase pulse exports from 5 lakh (500,000) tonnes in FY23 to 10 lakh (1 million) tonnes in FY24."

The pulses sector, on the other hand, is concerned about the possibility of an El Nino in the country. Though the Indian Meteorological Department predicts a normal monsoon, the possibility of an El Nino has not been ruled out. "We are hoping that the monsoon will be good and that kharif pulses production will not be impacted," Kothari added.