Miller Magazine Issue: 128 August 2020

54 MILLER / August 2020 As the world’s largest producer, processor, im- porter and consumer of a variety of pulses, India is always the focus of attention for the global pulses market participants. Given its dominant position, developments in India impact the world market; and there have been a number of devel- opments in India lately. Domestic production of pulses has significant- ly expanded in recent years. From a low of 16.3 million tons in 2015-16, pulses output has taken a quantum leap to the 22-24 million ton range since 2016-17 as can be seen from the table alongside. India cultivates pulses in two seasons – Kharif “Indian agriculture in general and pulses cultivation in particular is fragile and vulnerable. Our crops are at the mercy of the weather gods. Even a single bad monsoon can result in a farm disaster. This vulnerability should be recognized. Therefore, to insulate the country from future shocks (such as the one faced in 2015-2016) India should continue to stay in the global value chain, and not shut itself out completely. This means there is scope for easing of restrictions on pulses import.” India the epicenter of global pulses market Guruswamy Chandrashekhar Economist Senior Policy Commentator