India to import 5,000 tonnes pulses via MMTC

The Dollar Businss Bureau

The government is planning to import 5,000 tonnes of pulses through Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India (MMTC) to check the domestic prices by enhancing the availability of lentils.

The demand and supply gap of pulses has broadened in the past two years on account of drought. The total domestic production of pulses is almost 17 million tonnes, whereas demand is 23.6 million tonnes.

India imported 5.5 million tonnes of pulses in the last financial year, but there is still a shortage of about 1 million tonne, affecting the prices of the pulses. 

Recently, MMTC has asked for bids to import desi chick peas from Australia or Canada. The bid needs to be at least 2,500 tonnes and the closing date is June 15. 

"Note that all the pulses quoted shall be from new crop and shall be sound, clean, wholesome, free from moulds/fungus, artificial colour, unwholesome substance and should be of reasonable uniform size, shape and colour characteristics," MMTC said.

The government has raised the minimum support price (MSP) of pulses by more than Rs.425 per quintal for the year to increase its domestic production.

In 2016, the government had increased MSP of tur to around Rs.5,050 per quintal from Rs.4,625 per quintal in 2015. Moong MSP was raised to about Rs.5,225 per quintal as against Rs.4,850 per quintal last year. Urad MSP was increased to around Rs.5,000 per quintal in current fiscal from Rs.4,626 last year.

The Agriculture Ministry expects the total production of pulses to touch 17.33 million tonnes in the current crop year of July-June.