India Signs Deal With Mozambique To Import Pulses, A Strategic Success, But We Have Failed Our Farmers

India has struck a trade arrangement with the African nation Mozambique regarding the import of pulses from the country. The government of India has given assurance of guaranteed purchase of pulses over the next five years. Such a decision has been taken owing to the dearth of domestic supply triggered by erratic weather condition. 1 lakh tonnes of pulses will be imported this year, which will go up to 2 lakh tonnes by 2020-21. This is a government-to-government deal and also among private traders.

The figures of pulses consumption and production
India consumes about 63,500 tonnes of all varieties of pulses every day. That makes the estimated annual consumption to 2.3 crore tonnes. However, the production has fallen steeply in the last two year. During 2014-15, it was 17.06 million tonnes, and last year it was 17.15 million tonnes. Whereas, in 2013-14, the production was 19 million tonnes. This year it is expected to produce 20 million tonnes of pulses as speculated for a good amount of rainfall. The annual demand is 23 million tonnes.