We are over three-fourths into the International Year of Pulses , as designated by the United Nations, but ironically, pulses have proved to be a stiff challenge for the Indian economy this year.

Due to inadequate rainfall, the output of pulses has seen a decline in India. Last year, the output was 17.06 million tonnes, compared to 19 million tonnes in 2013-14. The output this year is expected to be around 20 million tonnes, as per Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, but the country’s annual demand is 23 million tonnes.

Inadequate rainfall is not the only problem affecting pulse production and prices. In the past, significant hikes in the Minimum Support Price and government procurement at that price have been limited to rice and wheat. This has given farmers little incentive to grow pulses, causing an insufficient production and supply of the crop.

In mid-September, a committee formed to incentivise pulse production and headed by the chief economic adviser to the Prime Minister recommended raising the MSP for pulses and building up a buffer, among other things. Then, a little over a week ago (30 September), the Government of India gave the go-ahead to import 80,000 tonnes of masur and 90,000 tonnes of tur to boost pulse stocks .

Now, in line with the idea of building up imports, India has signed a pact with Mozambique to develop and produce 6,90,000 tonnes of pulses over a five-year period from 2016 to 2021. This is part of India’s resolve to improve the production of pulses in some African countries to meet the high demand in India.

This assistance to African countries comes under the umbrella of the Supporting Indian Trade and Investment for Africa (SITA) project, which is financed by Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID) and coordinated by the International Trade Center (ITC) in Geneva.

As per the ITC, India’s demand for pulses could rise to 32 million tonnes per year within the next 14 years. This prediction rests on the assumption that India’s population will touch 1.4 billion by 2030, up from 1.2 billion now.

Pulse as a crop holds great significance in the context of climate change. As per the FAO, pulses can withstand changing climatic conditions. They have a broad genetic diversity, which is crucial since the more climate-resilient of the strains can be used in areas prone to droughts, floods and other extreme weather events. The FAO has said that pulse production could even indirectly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

So, besides helping itself boost its stock of pulses, India’s pulse development programme in parts of Africa is also helping them combat climate change.

In July this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Mozambique as part of his visit to four African nations. After his wide-ranging talks with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi, India had signed a long-term agreement under which India was to buy pulses from Mozambique to make up for the shortfall and contain prices.

(With inputs from IANS)