New Delhi

According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, domestic Urad prices are on the decline due to heightened government procurement of the summer crop and favorable prospects for the kharif season, bolstered by improved monsoon conditions. As of July 6, wholesale prices in Indore and Delhi have decreased by 3.12% and 1.08% respectively, paralleling a drop in imported Urad prices. The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) are actively procuring summer Urad under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).

The area under Urad cultivation has expanded significantly this year, reaching 5.37 lakh hectares by July 5 compared to 3.67 lakh hectares during the same period last year. This uptick in sown area bodes well for a robust kharif crop production, expected to fulfill market demands.

Pre-registration initiatives by NAFED and NCCF ahead of the kharif season have seen substantial participation, particularly in Madhya Pradesh where 8,487 Urad farmers have registered. Similarly, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh have also shown active engagement, with 2037, 1611, and 1663 farmers respectively joining the initiative. These efforts reflect the government’s strategy to promote pulse production and achieve self-sufficiency in this agricultural segment.