With the threat of a possible El Niño and a weak monsoon looming over the current crop season, the Centre has stepped up monitoring of pulse availability and prices. The Department of Consumer Affairs has stressed the need to maintain adequate buffer stocks of pulses to tackle any potential supply shortfall in the coming months.
In a letter dated 23 July 2026, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare wrote to Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra, urging the Ministry of Agriculture to consider relaxing the existing norm that requires pulses procured under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) to be disposed of within nine months. The proposal aims to preserve stocks in anticipation of possible production shortfalls caused by adverse weather conditions.
The letter specifically recommends retaining Kharif 2025-26 Tur (Pigeon Pea) and Rabi 2026 Chana (Gram) stocks beyond the prescribed nine-month period. According to the department, this would ensure that NAFED and NCCF continue to hold adequate inventories, enabling the government to respond effectively to any supply disruptions arising from El Niño while ensuring affordable pulse availability for consumers.
Government May Review OMS
The communication also indicates that the government may have to revisit its decisions regarding the sale of pulses through the Open Market Sale (OMS) scheme and procurement under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) in view of the evolving climatic situation.
According to the letter, the Department of Consumer Affairs has already initiated the transfer of 3 lakh tonnes of Tur, 5 lakh tonnes of Chana and 0.50 lakh tonnes of Urad, with a total Minimum Support Price (MSP) value of Rs. 5,882.50 crore, from the PSS to the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) buffer. It also notes that further transfers could become difficult because of funding constraints.
Weather Uncertainty Driving Policy Shift
The department has been closely monitoring the availability and price situation of pulses during the ongoing Kharif season. Preliminary assessments suggest that El Niño-induced weather uncertainties could affect sowing area and crop performance in some regions. However, the overall impact on national pulse production is yet to become clear.
The letter suggests that policymakers are preparing for a scenario in which current-year buffer stocks may need to be preserved for the following year rather than being released immediately into the market. This implies that the government may be willing to tolerate some increase in pulse prices this year if it helps prevent a more severe supply crisis in the future.
The concern stems from the experience that the most significant impact of El Niño is often felt not during the El Niño year itself, but in the following crop season, when depleted stocks and weaker production can combine to create sharp shortages.
Pulse Sowing Down Nearly 15%
Government data show that pulse sowing has remained significantly below last year's level. As of 17 July 2026, pulses had been sown over 69.2 lakh hectares, nearly 15 per cent lower than the 81.52 lakh hectares covered during the corresponding period last year.
Below-normal rainfall across large parts of the country, particularly central India during June, delayed Kharif sowing. In addition, meteorological forecasts indicate that El Niño conditions could strengthen by September, potentially affecting not only the Kharif harvest but also moisture availability for the upcoming Rabi season.
These concerns have prompted the government to adopt a more cautious approach towards managing buffer stocks.
Lessons from Previous Pulse Crises
Agricultural policy experts believe that the year following an El Niño often poses a greater challenge than the El Niño year itself. If production weakens in one season and the entire buffer stock is released to stabilise prices, the country may face a much more serious supply shortage in the following year.
The latest communication indicates that the government is prioritising long-term supply security over short-term price management. By preserving strategic pulse reserves today, policymakers aim to ensure adequate availability and greater price stability if weather-related production risks persist into the next agricultural cycle.