Context:
India has resumed importing Tur dal (Pigeon pea) from Mozambique following a temporary halt caused by disruptions from an “anti-India” group.
Relevance:
GS III: Agriculture
Dimensions of the Article:
- Overview of Tur Dal (Pigeon Pea) in India
- Current State of Pulse Imports in India
Overview of Tur Dal (Pigeon Pea) in India
Characteristics of Tur Dal
- Tur dal is a crucial legume and protein source in India.
- Thrives in tropical and semi-arid regions.
Climatic Requirements for Tur Dal
- Rainfall: Requires 600-650 mm annually, needing moist conditions initially and dry conditions during the later stages of flowering and pod development.
- Temperature: Optimal growth temperatures are 26°C to 30°C during the rainy season and 17°C to 22°C after the rains.
- Soil Preferences: Favors sandy loam or loam but is adaptable to various soil types.
- Sensitivity: Low radiation during pod development can impair pod formation, particularly if flowering coincides with the monsoon or cloudy weather.
Challenges in Cultivation
- Diseases: Susceptible to Wilt, Sterility Mosaic Disease, Phytophthora Blight, Alternaria Blight, and Powdery Mildew.
Production Statistics
- Leading States (2019): Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh are the top producers.
- Pulse Production Status: India is the leading global producer (25% of global production), the largest consumer (27% of global consumption), and a significant importer (14%).
- Contribution to Agriculture: Pulses occupy about 20% of the area under food grains, contributing 7-10% to the total food grain output.
- Varietal Dominance: Gram is the predominant pulse at about 40% of total pulse production, followed by Tur/Arhar (15-20%) and Urad/Black Matpe and Moong (8-10% each).
- Seasonal Production: More than 60% of pulse production occurs during the Rabi season.
Current State of Pulse Imports in India
- In FY 2023-24, India imported 4.65 million metric tons of pulses, marking the highest volume since 2018-19.
- The value of pulse imports surged by 93% to USD 3.75 billion.
- Of the 7.71 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon pea imported, 2.64 lakh tons were sourced from Mozambique, with Malawi also being a key supplier.
- MoUs with Mozambique and Malawi ensure annual supplies of 2 lakh tons and 0.50 lakh tons respectively until 2025-26.
- Significant quantities of red lentils and yellow peas are imported from Canada, Russia, and Turkey respectively.
- South Asian nations, including India, predominantly import pulses from Canada, Myanmar, Australia, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
