The Indian authorities will release pigeon pea (tur) from "buffer stocks in a calibrated and targeted manner” till imported stocks arrive to meet a growing shortage of the lentil, according to a statement by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
India reportedly imports the lentil from Myanmar, Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi through private trade.
The ministry has directed two government distribution agencies—National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF)—to make pigeon pea available through online auction to “eligible millers” to augment domestic availability for the end consumer, the statement said.
The statement noted that the move was meant to make ‘tur’ available to consumers at “affordable prices”.
The announcement comes after the Indian authorities imposed “stock limits” on pigeon pea and black gram (urad) by invoking the Essential Commodities Act to prevent “hoarding and unscrupulous speculation and also to improve affordability to the consumers”.
The stock limits will be in place across the country till 31 October, the ministry said.
Domestic Shortages Lead to Increase in Prices
The retail price of pigeon pea in Delhi has crossed Rs 100 ($1.2) per kilogram and it was trading at Rs 120 ($1.4) at some retail outlets, which is 20-40 percent higher than the average price.
According to reports citing government data, the domestic production of pigeon pea between July 2022 and June 2023 decreased by 10 percent as compared to previous cycle.
In gross terms, the output of the lentil has been pegged between 3.2 and 3.8 million tonnes during the same period.
India’s domestic consumption of the lentil is between 4.5 and 4.8 million tonnes per year.