ThePrint CutTheClutter: US factsheet stirs the pulse pot: Reality check & how India is largest producer & biggest importer
Feb 11, 2026
Discussion centers on how India can be both the largest producer and biggest importer of pulses. The conversation covers decade-long import trends, recent spikes tied to droughts and El Niño, and which pulse varieties and countries supply India. It also highlights government plans for self-reliance, farmer incentives, market distortions, and the role of monsoon and seed innovations.
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Pulses Are A Persistent National Shortfall
- India is traditionally short of pulses despite surpluses in wheat and rice. Demand for pulses rose as incomes rose and people moved up the food chain.
Imports Track Weather-Driven Production Swings
- India's pulse imports have fluctuated widely over the last decade with peaks after droughts. Imports reached 7.256 million tonnes in 2024-25 due to a weak monsoon.
Varieties And Cropping Matter More Than Inputs
- Pulse yields respond to improved varieties and cropping choices, not heavy water or fertilizer. Short-duration varieties let farmers fit pulses between other crops and increase production potential.