Masur output may hit new record at 16 lakh tonne this rabi season

Masur (lentil) production is estimated to touch an all-time high of 16 lakh tonne in the 2023-24 rabi season on higher acreage. Masur production stood at 15.59 lakh tonne in the 2022-23 rabi season, as per the official data. Despite being the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses, India imports certain pulses, including masur and tur, to meet the domestic shortages.

Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said, "This year, masur production is going to be at an all-time high. Our masur production will be the highest in the world. The acreage has increased. The dynamic is changing." Singh was speaking at an event organised by the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC).

According to the agriculture ministry data, more area has been brought under masur crop in the ongoing rabi season. The total masur acreage has increased to 19.4 million hectare as of January 12 in the ongoing rabi season, when compared to 1.83 million hectare in the year-ago period.

The Secretary said the country produces on an average 26-27 million tonne of pulses annually. In chana and moong, the country is self-sufficient but in other pulses like tur and masur, it still imports to meet the shortages. While the government is incentivising the farmers to grow more pulses, one needs to keep in mind the limited area under cultivation, he added.

NAFED Managing Director Ritesh Chauhan said there has been a positive response to the recently launched tur procurement portal. About 1,000 tonne of tur has been purchased via registered tur farmers within days of the launch of the portal, he added.

Sharing about the global pulses event, GPC Board President Vijay Iyengar said pulses are vital in the development of sustainable food systems. Pulses are key when it comes to food security and nutrition in India.

India has done tremendously well to enhance its domestic production and provide cheaper and affordable pulses through various government-sponsored schemes, he added.