Front Cover Inside Blank

OVERCOMING
THE PULSES CRISIS
Key Interventions Recommended

A Report by CII Expert Group on Pulses

© Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), 2010

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holders.

The information presented in this publication has been compiled from

various published and electronically available primary and secondary
sources. CII has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of information
presented in this report. However, neither CII nor any of its office bearers
or analysts or employees can be held responsible for any financial
consequences arising out of the use of information provided herein.

Published by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

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 Foreword
According to a report drafted for ministers of the G-8 nations, the world faces
“A permanent food crisis and global instability unless countries act now to feed a
surging population by doubling agricultural output”. The demand-supply gap for food in
India shows that in the short to medium term, supply will meet demand requirements;
from 2021 demand will outstrip supply for cereals, pulses, edible oil and sugar.

India is in a precarious situation, specially with regard to the supply of pulses. The
problem has been worsening gradually and is becoming a silent emergency. India is
the largest producer of pulses in the world, yet it is also the largest importer of pulses.
The issue with India is that it is more vegetarian than any other society in the world
and pulses are also the most economic source of protein for Indians. Consequently,
our dietary dependence on pulses as the main source of protein is enormous.

However, pulses in India are traditionally considered to be a residual crop, only suited
for growth under rain-fed conditions when one can’t grow wheat or rice. There have
been no technology breakthroughs with respect to pulses. Equally, no aggressive
plan, commensurate with the crisis, is in place for pulses. Thus, the contours of the
crisis become clear.

While the above points affirm that there is an impending crisis, the climate for
improvements in agriculture has never been better. During the last five years, there
has been an upturn in the fortunes of agriculture and the credit for it is due to the
Government for a supportive policy.

The CII Expert Group on Pulses strongly believes that India can achieve a production
revolution in pulses. An analysis by the Tata Strategic Management Group has also
shown that by adopting best practices and increasing yield to the highest levels,
India can increase production by 13 mt a year. This Report of the CII Expert Group
on Pulses suggests some key policy interventions which can help to address the
pulses crisis, believing that India certainly has the potential to produce 37 mt of
pulses a year.

R Gopalakrishnan
Chairman, CII Expert Group on Pulses and
Executive Director, Tata Sons Limited
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 Members of CII Expert Group on Pulses

Sl.No. Name Designation Company

1 Mr. R Gopalakrishnan Chairman, CII Expert Tata Sons Limited
Group on Pulses &
Executive Director
2 Dr. Y K Alagh Co-Chairman, CII IRMA
Expert Group on
Pulses & Chairman
3 Mr. Siraj A Chaudhry Chairman Cargill India Pvt. Ltd.
4 Mr. Gokul Patnaik Chairman Global Agrisystem Pvt. Ltd.
5 Mr. Sanjeev Asthana Founder & Director Ifarm ventures
6 Mr. Sanjiv M. Sawla Director, Indian M. Lakhamsi & Co
Oilseeds & Produce
Export Promotion
Council (IOPEPC) &
Partner
7 Mr. Pravin Dongre CEO & MD (Pulses Importer
Association) Glencore
Grain India Pvt. Ltd.
8 Mr. Sanjay Shah Director Indian Oilseeds & Produce
Export Promotion Council
(IOPEPC)
9 Mr. Rajnikant Rai COO ITC Limited
10 Mr. Karnail Singh Adviser National Spot Exchange
Ltd.
11 Mr. R S Kureel Director (Production) National Oilseeds
& Vegetable Oils
Development Board
(NOVOD)
12 Mr. Amit Sridharan New Business Rallis India
Development Chief
13 Dr. S Chandra Director Indian Society of
Agribusiness Professionals
14 Mr. Rajiv Dar CEO Indian Society of
Agribusiness Professionals
15 Ms. V N Saroja CEO Agriwatch
16 Mr. B Wakhlu Resident Director Tata Services Ltd
17 Ms. Amita Sarkar Senior Director Confederation of Indian
Industry
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 contents

Background 1

Global Overview 2

Importance of Pulses for India 3

Key Government Initiatives 4

Reasons for Low Production in India  5

Recommendations of CII Expert Group on Pulses  7

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 overcoming the pulses crisis

“The country may have to have a new mission for raising

the production of Pulses & Oilseeds. I hope that the situation
would improve quickly”
– Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Congress Working Committee Meeting, August 2009

Background
India is the largest producer as well as consumer of pulses (also referred to as
grain legumes, peas & beans) in the world. However, its pulses production has been
almost stagnant over the past 20 years at around 14 million tonnes per annum.
While population has grown at 2% CAGR during 1971-2008, pulses production has
grown at a meagre 0.7% CAGR. At the same time, per capita production of pulses
has decreased from 60 g/day in 1970-71 to 36 g/day by 2007-08.

Area under pulses has been around 23 million hectares, giving an average yield
of 616 kg per hectares, which is quite low. Amongst the prime reasons for low
productivity of pulses are;

� Pulses are mainly being grown on marginal and sub-marginal lands under
rainfed conditions with low input usage.

� Less than 15% of area under pulses is irrigated, exposing its production to
weather-related yield risks.

� Despite a mission-mode approach to pulses development by the Department

of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India, a desired level of thrust to
pulses production has been conspicuous by its absence. Overall, the production
of pulses has grown only 45% (cumulative) between 1951 and 2008, compared
to that of wheat and rice, which have grown manifold (at 320% and 230%,
respectively) during the same period.

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overcoming the pulses crisis

Efforts are being made to bridge the gap between demand and supply through
imports of pulses from different countries, depending upon their availability. The
country’s increasing demand for pulses due to rise in population has resulted in
increase in net imports from about 4.6 lakh tonnes in 1998-99 to 35 lakh tonnes
in 2009-10 – valued at Rs 9,813 crore in fiscal 2009-10.

Also, due to limited sources for different kinds of pulses, domestic prices fluctuate
according to availability and prices in the international market. Apprehensions of
shortages, lead to market uncertainty and high inflation.

Thus, the resultant shortage in availability of pulses and the spurt in prices demands
special focus.

Global Overview
India, China, Canada, Brazil and Myanmar are the top five countries accounting for
50% of global production. The world acreage for pulses was estimated at 72 Mn
Ha in 2007. Global production of pulses in 2007 was 56 mn tonnes. India is the
world leader, with 25% share of world production. The global production of pulses
has also remained practically stagnant over the last decade - primarily due to the
flat growth in India’s production. India consumes 30% of global pulses production.
China and Brazil are a distant second in consumption, with 6% share each.

Canada is the largest exporter of pulses in the world with 26% share, valued at
USD 1.2 billion in 2007. Nearly 27% of Canada’s exports are to India. Other major
pulses exporting countries include China, Myanmar, Australia and the US. The
Indian Government has banned exports of pulses, except for a particular type of
chickpeas, to ensure availability in the domestic market.

Average global yield was 819 kg/ha (average of 2005, 2006, 2007) with Canada
and the US having yields of 1900 kg/ha – about three times the Indian average.
Subsistence farming in developing countries versus a market driven approach in
developed countries, as well as climatic conditions and level of mechanization
and infrastructure development, have resulted in wide variation in yields across
countries.

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 overcoming the pulses crisis

There are quite a few factors affecting yield of pulses, viz., Climate / Soil / Timely
availability of inputs / Usage of high yielding variety (HYV) seeds and short duration
pulses varieties / Investment in mechanisation, irrigation, pest management and
other crop specific farm practices / changes in cropping pattern like double cropping
or intercropping / Level of development / Infrastructure / Efficient supply chain and
Market mechanisms.

Importance of Pulses for India

Pulses in India have long been considered as the poor man’s only source of
protein. They are the principal source of dietary proteins in a vegetarian country
like India. The major pulses crops of the country are red gram or pigeon pea (tur,
arhar), chickpea or gram, black gram (urad bean), green gram (moong bean) and
lentil (masur). Minor pulses include rajmash and other beans, cowpea, horse gram,
moth, khesari-dal, etc.

If we consider some of the major sources of proteins, pulses turn out to be one
of the most economical sources of protein for human consumption. Pulses contain
18-25% of protein. Increasing their production and keeping their prices within the
reach of the poor therefore assumes paramount importance.

Pulses: The richest and the most economical source of protein

Source Protein content Average price Avg cost of protein

(per kg) (Rs. per kg) consumption
Milk 3.2% 24 75
Poultry Meat 18-20% 100 53
Eggs 14% 60 42
Pulses 18-25% 85 38

However currently, only 11% of India’s protein needs are met by pulses. The
balance is either met through other sources or not met at all. As per the World
Bank estimates, India ranks 2nd after Bangladesh in child malnutrition. It is a fact
that Indians today are consuming far less protein than they used to do so in the
past.

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overcoming the pulses crisis

While per capita availability of pulses, including imports is close to 43 g/day, WHO
recommends per capita consumption at 80 g/day for India, clearly pointing to a
wide gap in pulses availability. By some estimates, the per capita consumption has
lately reduced to as low as 30 g/day due to high prices which affects the buying
ability of the consumer, thus indicating a serious concern.

Pulses crops also help increase soil fertility. Benefits from adopting pulses as a
rotational crop increases the supply of soil nitrogen through nitrogen fixation by
approximately 40 kg/ha N. It also provides agronomic benefits to the succeeding
crop in terms of better soil microenvironment, quality and yield.

Key Government Initiatives

• To fulfill objectives of production and productivity, a Directorate of Pulses
Development has been functioning, (now located at Bhopal), with a vision of
attaining self reliance in pulses for household nutritional security and sustainability
of the production system.

• Pulses were brought under the ambit of the Technology Mission of the Ministry’s
Department of Agriculture & Co-operation in August 1990

• The National Food Security Mission, launched in 2008, aims at increasing the
production of pulses by 2 million tonnes by 2011

• The Government has roped in International Crops Research Institute for the
Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) along with various Agriculture Universities to work
with farmers in order to use rice fallows for pulses cultivation

• National Commission on Farmers was formed under Mr MS Swaminathan,

but its core recommendations are yet to be implemented

• Integrated scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) was
launched in 14 major pulses growing states

• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna was launched under which states can undertake
Pulses Development Programmes

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 overcoming the pulses crisis

• Also, there are programmes like Accelerated Pulses Production Programme

and Pulses and Oilseeds villages.

Despite, the launch of number of special mission/ programmes / schemes, production

and productivity in pulses has not been optimized, as a result of which, India has
remained a net importer of pulses and this failure has been a serious cause of
concern.

Reasons for Low Production in India

India Pulses Production: While population has grown at 2% CAGR, pulses production
has grown at a meagre 0.7% CAGR from FY 1971-2008.

India’s Pulses Production

• Pulses in India are considered a residual crop and grown under rain-fed
conditions in marginal/ less fertile lands, with very little focus on pest and
nutrient management.

• Pulses were not the beneficiary of the Green Revolution and the post-Green
revolution era has also witnessed most of Government thrust on wheat and
rice.

• There has been no technology breakthrough in any of the pulses crops.

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overcoming the pulses crisis

• Farmers perceive pulses as having a lower cost benefit ratio vis-à-vis other
crops like wheat and rice.

• Penetration and adoption of high yielding varieties (HYV) seeds are also low.

• Only 15% of the pulses crop receives any irrigation - as against an average
46% for all foodgrains combined (90% for wheat and 56% for rice).

• Heavy weed infestation, blue bull and pod borers cause substantial damage
to standing crops. Over 30% of standing crops are destroyed by pests
before harvest. In addition, there are post-harvest losses during storage, due
to excessive moisture and attack by stored grain pests especially the pulse
beetle.

• Seed replacement rate in India is very low, estimated at 2-7% compared to the
recommended 25-30%. Timely availability of genuine certified quality seeds is
another critical issue. Deviation from timely agronomic practices / application
of inputs results in sub-optimal yields.

• Absence of assured off-take has also been an issue for pulses cultivation.

Individually and collectively, these factors have resulted in pulses being considered
as risky crops, with yield levels amongst the lowest in the world. CII, therefore,
undertook to examine the challenge of high pulses prices by looking at the
relevant issues more closely for an affirmative action to ensure that pulses are
available to all at affordable prices and the farmers get remunerative returns on
their investments.

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Recommendations of CII Expert Group on

Pulses
The CII Expert Group on Pulses firmly believes that the issue of pulses availability
is so serious that it requires mission mode to execute critical recommendations
mentioned below in the report. Thus, creating a National mission on pulses will
not only create an impetus for faster execution but will also serve as a powerful
communication platform to infuse a sense of urgency.

Key elements of such a National Mission will be the following:

(a) Capacity and Capability Building through PPP: The agriculture value chain
involves multiple players demanding collaborative strength from various public
and private players. A more formal strategic alliance is proposed between the
State Governments and private players (with or without equity participation)
so that research expertise and reach of various public institutes can meet the
private rigour in extension services, marketing and management. The objective
is to create a significant advantage, combining the resources and expertise of
both the sides in order to augment pulses production in India.

The alliance will choose the working area keeping in mind the twin objectives
of ‘Increase in pulses acreages’ and ‘Increase in yield’. The partnership can be
across the entire value chain, i.e.,

� In introduction of High Yielding Varieties of seeds with a back-stop resource

level of quality seed production.

� In extension of package of practices with appropriate training in inputs.

� In arranging assured linkages for buy back of produce.

� Contract farming of pulses, etc.

� In making funds available to farmers for strengthening their resource and

infrastructural base, which will make the change sustainable.

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overcoming the pulses crisis

(b) Crop & Region Specific Approach: To intensify / increase area and production
of pulses crops, we need crop-specific and region-specific approaches, which
should be adopted in the overall framework of systems approach. The Indian
Council of Agriculture Research has notified 74 varieties of pulses during the last
three years. Why has the cultivation of these varieties not picked up, needs to
be looked into. The need is to develop high yielding varieties of pulses suitable
to meet geographical and climatic requirements of major pulses growing areas
of the country for intensive cultivation.

b.1. Crop-situation thrust: Since the pulses canvas is rather wide, there is
need to disaggregate the thrust areas and develop programmes / action
plans with focus on specific crops / groups of crops, inter-crops and
catch crops, having an entirely different agronomic scenario as compared
to pure crops. Likewise, rabi crops have the advantage of adequate soil
moisture in assured rainfall areas or availability of life-saving irrigation
elsewhere. Each of the following five areas need defined objectives and
unique programmes.

Pulses

Kharif Crops (moong, urad, tur) Rabi crops (gram, lentils, peas)

*Pure crop, *Inter-crop, *Catch (double) crop *Pure crops, * New Niches

b.2 Increasing total acreage under pulses: Suitable areas in North-East,

close to Myanmar, suitable for pulses need to be brought under the
intensive cultivation of pulses for higher production and productivity. Other
suggestions are;

� Using the rice fallow lands for cultivation of pulses.

� Exploring bringing barren lands in hilly areas of North India under

pulses.

� Promoting intercropping to increase area under pulses

� Inclusion of short duration varieties of pulses as catch crop.

� Rainfed Area Authority (RAA) should primarily focus on the production

of pulses in deficit rain areas with specific strategies to maximize
the use of water available.

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 overcoming the pulses crisis

(c) R&D for Improving Yields for Pulses: Yield improvements can be done by
developing and introducing new varieties of seeds, having traits like high yield
/ hybrid / treated / resistant to drought and disease-pest complexes. Water
use efficiency / management, integrated / efficient crop nutrition, etc., are
also a must to ensure better yields of pulses. Also, developing high nitrogen
fixing varieties with nutrient use efficiency will be beneficial, as they will play
a crucial role in sustainable agriculture. This can be achieved through gene
pyramiding for which a critical mass of manpower in science and technology
is necessary.

(d) Educate, Enthuse and Empower the Farmer: There is an urgent need to
address the current barriers to pulses cultivation by facilitating creation of
engagement platforms to demonstrate the benefits of pulses cultivation to
farmers. Pulses have long been perceived by farmers as less remunerative
crops and this mindset needs to be changed by sensitising farmers towards
the following benefits offered by pulses cultivation;

� Pulses can be a profitable venture, with use of modern technology

� Pulses increase soil fertility by nitrogen fixation and provide agronomic benefits
to succeeding crops by improving crop quality and improving yields

� Needs very less water as compared to other water intensive crops

This can be done by demonstrating higher farm productivity on a reasonable

large chunk of farm clusters in contiguous fields and through training, field
visits, on-ground work, etc., to help them perceive the benefits of modern
pulses cultivation practices.

(e) Selling on Spot Exchanges: Innovative marketing strategies need to be put

in place to ensure that farmers are able to get remunerative prices for their
produce. Since the consumption, wholesale price index, consumer price index,
price inflation, etc., are linked to spot prices, one of the solutions can be the
sale of pulses on spot exchanges. Transparency and quick transaction will save
time and cost, and will also ensure reduction in cost of intermediation containing
price inflation to some extent. This will also provide definite market data on
prices and indexes. Besides, this will also ensure additional profit margin to

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overcoming the pulses crisis

the farmers for sale of their produce. Linking MSP to market prices can also
help to bridge the gap between demand and supply.

(f) Harmonizing Trade Policies: A long-term strategy for production or for timely
out-sourcing and distribution of pulses needs to be worked out to meet the
deficit in the demand and supply of pulses in the country. In case of pulses,
the Government organisations, like the State Trading Corporation (STC), Minerals
and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC) and PEC Ltd., are allowed to import
pulses and distribute it in the open market, with subsidy up to 15%. The prices
are kept low, which actually disincentivises the farmers in undertaking pulses
production. The industry is dependent on release of stocks, which is available
to only few players, resulting in disparity and high volatility in availability and
prices.

� The stock limits imposed by different states at different times create

distortions in supply, resulting in volatility in prices and encourages
unscrupulous practices in unorganised trade. Hence, it is suggested that
the stock limits need not be imposed.

(g) Reviving the Dal Milling Industry: Most of the dal mills have out dated
technology, which result in excessive losses of pulses in the form of broken
and powdered grains. This industry is also besieged with other problems such
as low domestic availability of pulses, high working capital requirement and
presence of large number of intermediaries in pulses procurement and marketing
of finished products. There is a case for consideration of the Government
for incentivising these dal mills for optimising output in a cost effective and
rewarding environment. Besides, the present losses, being encountered by the
milling industry, can be minimized to a great extent by the use of improved
dal mills. There is also a case for providing value addition at the farm gate
through small dal mills and allied accessories.

(h) Campaign to Create Awareness of the Pulses Shortage and its Implications:
Raising the issue of pulses shortage in important forums by reaching out to
corporate and public spheres. The idea is to infuse a sense of urgency and
to create a right regulatory environment by getting all the stakeholders to

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 overcoming the pulses crisis

understand the urgency of the issue. Theme-based conferences / workshops

/ debates, etc., will also help encourage dialogue in this area.

(i) Exploring Opportunities in Other Countries: Some Indian companies have

already acquired land in foreign countries for agriculture. According to statistics
provided by Governments of various countries in East Africa, more than 80
Indian companies have invested about £1.5 billion (about Rs 11,300 crore) in
buying huge plantations in countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar,
Senegal and Mozambique that will be used to grow foodgrain for the domestic
market. The focus can be on cultivation of pulses on those lands to meet
domestic consumption in the country. Options like contract farming in other
countries can also be explored for this purpose.

(j) Business Development of Pulses: Pulses are an important part of the Indian
diet and an innovative approach can be cultivation of new taste in the consumers
by blending, etc. This will make the product attractive to the consumers as well
as help in meeting the nutritional security needs of the Indian population.

We, at CII, firmly believe that if these recommendations are given the right focus,
the public sector and the private sector can together play an important role in
setting the pulses crisis right, thereby helping the country grow more pulses.

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