Why in the News
- India plans to extend its pulses import agreement with Myanmar for 5 more years (beyond 2025-26) to ensure food security amid global supply disruptions.
Background of the Agreement
- Original MoU signed in 2021
- Between: India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce.
Import Commitments (2021–26)
- Urad dal: 2.5 lakh tonnes/year
- Tur dal: 1 lakh tonnes/year
New Developments
- Extension proposed till 2030-31
- Additional: +1 lakh tonnes Tur dal (2026-27)
Why Extension is Needed
1. Demand–Supply Gap
- India’s pulses demand: 28–29 million tonnes
- Domestic production: 24–25 million tonnes
- Persistent import dependence
2. Falling Domestic Production
- Tur: ↓ from 3.64 → 3.45 million tonnes
- Urad: ↓ from 2.24 → 1.74 million tonnes
3. Global Supply Chain Disruptions
- Due to geopolitical tensions: US–Israel–Iran conflict.
- Risks to: Fuel supply, Fertilizer availability, and Food imports.
Role of Myanmar
- Key supplier of pulses to India
- Imports rising:
- Tur: ↑ 44% (2025-26)
- Urad: ↑ significantly
Significance
- Food Security: Ensures stable supply of protein-rich pulses (dal)
- Price Stability: Prevents inflation in essential commodities
- Strategic Trade Diversification: Reduces risk from global disruptions
| [2020] With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements: Black gram (Urad) can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
