Considering strict policy measures to reduce import of pulses and edible oils

10-Jun-2024 08:15 PM

New Delhi. The new central government is planning to formulate and implement strict policy measures to reduce the import of pulses and edible oils in its first 100 days' work list because a huge amount of precious foreign currency is being spent on its huge import, which puts pressure on the economy.

It is worth noting that except Kabuli gram and moong, the government has made the import of all other major pulses duty free, which includes tur (tuvar), urad, lentil, desi gram and yellow peas.

A few months ago, the Union Cooperation Minister had announced that by the year 2027, the import of pulses in the country will be completely stopped and there will be no need to import even a kilo of pulses from abroad.

Incidentally, in the financial year 2023-24, the import of pulses jumped to above 40 lakh tonnes. Apart from this, increasing the supply of ethanol and stabilizing the prices of food items are also included in the government's initial 100 days' work list.

For this, the same kind of strict policy measures will be implemented which have been in practice for the last one and a half years.

The Union Agriculture Ministry is drafting a new scheme to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses by the year 2027. This will save a huge amount of money spent on imports and will help in increasing the supply and availability in the domestic sector.

Special attention will also be given to increasing the production of oilseed crops. Under this, a strong effort can be made to increase the production of some non-traditional oil-bearing commodities, while a plan can be made to increase the scope of cultivation of main oilseeds. The Finance Minister had announced this in the last budget speech.