Suggestion to control cheap imports to increase domestic production of lentils

06-Sep-2024 12:35 PM

New Delhi. The rapid pace at which lentil imports are increasing in India with the help of government policy incentives is reducing the morale of indigenous producers.

Due to the continued import of cheap goods in large quantities from abroad, the domestic production of lentils has stagnated within a certain limit, while its demand and consumption is increasing regularly.

A leading trade analyst has given some better suggestions to the government to increase the domestic production of lentils and achieve self-sufficiency in it.

This includes suggestions like fixing a minimum import price (MIP) for lentils, imposing quantitative control on imports and ensuring attractive returns to indigenous producers.

Of course, India is among the top three lentil producing countries in the world, but on one hand, while countries like Canada and Australia remain its major suppliers, India remains its largest buyer (importer).

Lentil has been kept out of the purview of import duty in India for a long time, due to which traders are not facing any problem in importing it in large quantities from abroad.

A huge amount is spent on the import of lentils and this money is filling the coffers of the exporting countries.

Lentil is an important pulse crop of the Rabi season, sowing of which starts in October-November and harvesting preparation in March-April.

According to trade analysts, if proper efforts are not made to increase the enthusiasm and attraction of farmers, then the possibility of a good increase in the sowing area and production of lentils will be slim.

In India, lentils are mainly produced in states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Bengal. For the upcoming Rabi season, a good increase in the minimum support price of lentils is expected once again.