Govt Takes Action To Boost Pulses Production, Extends Free Import Of Tur Dal

The Centre is ramping up efforts to procure pulses, including tur, urad, and lentils, from farmers through its Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF). The aim is to assure farmers that the government will buy their produce, even if market prices fall.

Two government cooperatives, Nafed and NCCF, have been directed to aggressively start purchasing pulses to encourage farmers to increase production. These instructions were given during a high-level inter-ministerial meeting with officials from agriculture, consumer affairs, and other key departments.

The government has pre-registered around 21 lakh farmers for pulse procurement in major producing states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, ahead of the sowing season.

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The PSS is designed to support farmers when market prices fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), while the PSF helps stabilize prices and protect consumers. This move comes as the government remains committed to buying 100% of pulses such as urad, arhar, and masur (lentil) varieties, which are heavily imported.

A source said, “Unless we assure farmers they will get a remunerative price, they won’t grow pulses. This initiative will boost pulse production and help the country become self-sufficient.”

The government has also approved a dynamic Minimum Assured Procurement Price (MAPP) for tur and urad, based on the last three days’ average mandi prices. For the past two years, government agencies were unable to buy these pulses as mandi prices were above MSP due to reduced production and higher demand.

However, with expectations of a better crop this year, mandi prices for tur are likely to drop below the MSP of ₹7,550 per quintal, triggering government purchases through the PSS.

Govt Extends Free Import Of Tur Dal

In related news, the government has extended the free import policy for tur dal until March 31, 2026, to control domestic prices. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification on Monday confirming the extension. The free import policy, introduced in May 2021, has been extended multiple times due to ongoing challenges in domestic production.

This continued import exemption aims to keep tur dal prices under control amid fluctuating domestic supply.