Lok Sabha Question No. 505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-25
Subject: Increase in Production of Pulses
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 505

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25 TH   JUNE, 2019

## INCREASE IN PRODUCTION OF PULSES

## 505. SHRIMATI  RAMYA HARIDAS:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  soaring  prices  of pulses  during  the  last  three  years  has resulted in the increase of acreage on the back  of  incentivized  higher  Minimum Support  Price  (MSP)  with technical intervention  to  ensure  higher  domestic production and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  there  was  any understanding  between  the  Government and the farmers who were switching over to  the  production  of  pulses  to  boost  the yield to meet the domestic needs and also to  take  care  of  the  excess  production,  if any; and
- (c) if so, whether any effort has been made by the farmers' consortium to restrict the import of pulses from abroad and if so, the action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a)  to  (c):      The  sowing  choices  of  farmers  depend  on  weather  conditions,  rainfall  situation, irrigation facilities, inter-crop profitability, soil conditions, expectation of better remuneration from other competing crops etc. However, Government has taken several measures to increase the area coverage and productivity of pulses. Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of pulses has been substantially increased to encourage pulses production. Government is implementing National Food Security Mission-Pulses (NFSM-Pulses) in 638 districts of 29 States of the country. Under this  programme, Government has taken various steps / initiatives to encourage production of pulses in the country as under:
-  Breeder Seed production of pulses was introduced under NFSM-Pulses programme.
-  150 Seed Hubs are implemented for increasing certified seeds of indigenous production of pulses in India through the Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur and its centres.
-  Supplying of Seed Minikits of pulses not older than 10 years on free of the cost (100% share) to the farmers.
-  In  addition to State Governments, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) / Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) / State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) are also involved in conducting the demonstrations on improved latest package of practices of pulses.

-  15%  allocation  is  earmarked  for  pulses  under  NFSM  for  production  of  quality  seeds through State Governments.
-  Formation of 145 Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) through Small Farmers' AgriBusiness Consortium (SFAC) in 11 states of the country.

Depending on domestic price and availability position, Government takes necessary steps from  time  to  time  to  restrict  cheap  import  of  pulses.  In  this  regard,  measures  taken  by Government to restrict import on pulses over the past years are placed at Annexure .

## Annexure referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 505 due for reply on 25.06.2019

## Measures taken by Government to restrict import on pulses over the past years

## Sl No Measure description

1

Import duty on toor has been raised from zero to 10% w.e.f. 28.3.2017

2

3

4

5

6

Quantitative  restrictions  of  2  lakh  tons  per  year  on  import  of  toor  (pigeon  pea)

w.e.f. 5.8.2017

Quantitative  restrictions  of  3  lakh  tons  on  urad  &  moong  per  year  w.e.f.

21.08.2017 have been imposed.

Import duty on peas

has been raised from 0% to 50%  w.e.f. 8.11.2017

Import duty on lentil ( masur) and chana (gram ) has been raised from zero to 30%

w.e.f. 21.12.2017

Import duty on chickpeas ( gram) raised from 40% to 60% on 01

st

March, 2018

- 7 DGFT has notified import policy/policy condition of Pigeon Peas (Cajanus cajan) /  Toor  Dal,  Urad  dal,  Moong dal and Peas (including Yellow peas, Green peas, Dun peas and Kaspa peas). Details of quantity to be allowed to be imported during fiscal year 2019-20 are as under: -
- 8 Department of Revenue vide Notification No. 16/2019-Customs dated 15th June, 2019 has increased Basic Custom duty on Lentil (Masur) from existing 30% to 50%.

|   Sl. No. | Item Description/ITC HS Code                                                                                        | Quantity to be allowed   | Notification Number/Date       |
|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------|
|         1 | Peas (including Yellow peas, Green peas, Dun peas and Kaspa peas) under EXIM Codes: 07131000, 07139010 and 07139090 | 1.5 Lakh MT              | S.O. 1479(E) dated 29.03.2019  |
|         2 | Moong Dal under E X IM Codes: 07133110, 07139010 and 07139090                                                       | 1.5 Lakh MT              | S.O. 1478(E) dated 29.03.2019  |
|         3 | Urad Dal under EXIM Codes: 07133190, 07139010 and 07139090                                                          | 1.5 Lakh MT              | S.O. 1480(E) dated 29.03.2019  |
|         4 | Pigeon Peas (Toor Dal) under EXIM Codes: 7136000, 07139010 and 07139090                                             | 02 Lakh MT               | S.O. 148l (E) dated 29.03.2019 |

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