Context:
The Department of Consumer Affairs Secretary directed major pulses importers to ensure that all stocks available with them are declared in a transparent manner regularly.
- Amid the rising prices of pulses, the importers were advised not to hold back any stock which may disrupt availability of pulses in the domestic market.
Relevance:
GS-III: Agriculture
Dimensions of the Article:
- What are Pulses?
- Sowing Area Coverage of Summer Crops
- Agriculture Trade
What are Pulses?
- Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family.
- They grow in pods and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognizes 11 types of pulses, namely:
- dry beans
- dry broad beans
- dry peas
- chickpeas
- cow peas
- pigeon peas
- lentils
- Bambara beans
- vetches,
- lupins
- pulses nes
- They are annual crops that yield between one and 12 grains or seeds.
- The term “pulses” is limited to crops harvested solely as dry grains, which differentiates them from other vegetable crops that are harvested while still green.
- Significance of Pulses:
- They are high in protein, fibre, and various vitamins, provide amino acids, and are hearty crops
- They are one of the most sustainable crops a farmer can grow.
- They also contribute to soil quality by fixing nitrogen in the soil.
- Pulse crops help decrease greenhouse gases and use less water than other crops.
Sowing Area Coverage of Summer Crops:
They are as follows:
- Rice: About 34.80 lakh ha area coverage under summer rice as compared to 25.26 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year.
- Pulses: About 8.77 lakh ha area coverage under pulses as compared to 5.44 lakh ha. during the corresponding period of last year.
- Course Cereals: About 9.12 lakh ha area coverage under coarse cereals as compared to 5.49 lakh ha. during the corresponding period of last year.
- Oilseeds: About 8.87 lakh ha area coverage under oilseeds as compared to 7.00 lakh ha. during the corresponding period of last year.
Agriculture Trade:
India occupies a leading position in global trade of agricultural products. However, its total agricultural export basket accounts for a little over 2.15 per cent of the world agricultural trade.
- The major export destinations are USA, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nepal and Bangladesh. India has remained consistently a net exporter of agri-products since the economic reforms in 1991, touching Rs.2.7 lakh crore exports and imports at Rs.1.37 lakh crore in 2018-19.
- A number of trade policy measures have been undertaken by the Government over the past few years to protect the domestic farmers in the country, which include:
- Import duty has been raised on several imports (from 0 to 10% on tur, 0 to 50% on peas, 0 to 60 %on gram (chana) and 0 to 30%on lentils).
- Imposition of Quantitative restrictions on imports (4 lakh tonnes per year on tur and 1.5 lakh tonnes on peas, urad & moong per year).
- Exports of all varieties of pulses have been allowed with effect from 22.11.2017 to ensure the greater choice in marketing as well as the better remuneration for farmers’ produces.
- Restriction on export of all types of edible oils (except mustard oil) has been lifted on 06.04.2018 to encourage export of indigenous edible oils and their industries.
- Government has imposed Minimum Import Price (MIP) on pepper and arecanut to protect the domestic growers and their livelihood from cheap import of the commodity as well as to save the domestic industries of pepper and arecanut.
- Under Foreign Trade Policy 2015- 20, rates of reward under merchandise exports from India (MEIS) were enhanced on export of various agriculture items on 1st November, 2017 to offset high transit cost.
- Government has recently initiated a comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” aimed at doubling the agricultural exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains.
- Created Agri cells in many Indian embassies abroad to take care of agricultural trade related issues.
-Source: The Indian Express
