New Delhi
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, lauded the farmers of India during the NAFED Pulse 2024 convention, commending their contribution to enhancing agricultural production and quality. He highlighted India’s achievement of self-sufficiency in food production, enabling annual exports of over $50 billion in agricultural and related products.
Goyal emphasized the remarkable growth in pulses production, which surged by 60 per cent over the last decade, from 171 lakh tonnes in 2014 to 270 lakh tonnes in 2024, owing to the farmers’ dedication and capabilities. He underscored the partnership between the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) to promote pulses globally.
The Minister noted the success of ‘Bharat’ brand chana dal, capturing 25 per cent market share within four months of its launch, reflecting farmers’ capacity to produce high-quality pulses. He highlighted the government’s efforts to stabilize prices through buffer stocks, ensuring moderate inflation rates.
Goyal accentuated the significant increase in minimum support prices (MSP), providing farmers with attractive returns on investment. He disclosed plans to encourage diversification into pulses and lentils, offering assured prices through 5-year procurement contracts. Additionally, he urged industry leaders to contribute suggestions to enhance productivity and growth in the pulse industry, paralleling the government’s focus on millets.
