Increase in Government Purchase of Tur Expected

17-Feb-2025 10:22 AM

Increase in Government Purchase of Tur Expected
★ Over the last two years, the prices of tur (pigeon pea) remained high due to low production, but this year, with production reaching 38-40 lakh tons, prices have fallen below the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
★ The government plans to increase the purchase of tur at MSP to build a buffer stock.
★ Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), agencies have already procured 12,335 tons of tur.
★ For the 2024-25 season, approval has been given for the procurement of 13.2 lakh tons.
★ Government agencies, including the cooperative organization NAFED and NCCF, are purchasing tur in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
★ Their aim is to increase the buffer stock, a significant portion of which was created through imports.
★ Due to higher prices than MSP in 2022-23 and 2023-24, agencies were unable to procure tur.
★ The first advance estimate by the Ministry of Agriculture for 2024-25 put tur production at 35 lakh tons, slightly higher than 34.1 lakh tons in 2023-24. An increase in production is expected in the second estimate.
★ Approximately 10 lakh tons of tur are expected to be imported this year.
★ Despite the expected strong crop of tur, the government extended the import period until March 31, 2026, last month.
★ At the Pulses Conclave 2025, a NAFED official mentioned that while farmers previously prioritized selling soybeans, they may now focus more on selling tur.
★ Due to the rising production and imports, prices are likely to decrease, but if government purchases increase, there is an expectation of slight price support.