Relevance: GS-3 (Agriculture, Food Security)
Source: Business Standard, Agriculture Ministry
India is the world’s largest pulse consumer, but domestic production remains inadequate. Pulses occupy only about 11 percent of cropped area and their yields are 30–50 percent lower than cereals. As a result, India imports 3–4 million tonnes annually, exposing food security to price shocks.
Reasons & Consequences of Low Pulse Production
Reasons | Consequences |
| Lower profitability than rice and wheat | High import dependence |
| Vulnerable to drought and pests | Price volatility for consumers |
| Limited irrigation (only ~20 percent area irrigated) | Nutritional insecurity (protein gap) |
| Poor seed adoption and extension support | Farmers shift to cereals/oilseeds |
Way Ahead
- Expand irrigation, drought-tolerant varieties and seed distribution under the National Food Security Mission.
- Provide price assurance through better and timely MSP , local procurement and crop insurance.
- Promote pulses in crop diversification and nutri-cereal clusters (aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 12).
Q. Consider the following statements regarding pulse cultivation in India:
- Pulses have lower irrigation coverage than cereals.
- India is the largest producer but not self-sufficient in pulses.
- Pulses generally have higher yield than rice and wheat.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one; B. Only two;
C. All three; D. None
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