Expect a bumper pulse crop next season

Pune: As monsoon spreads its way over the mainland, farmers across the country are preparing to grow a bumper crop of pulses, whose prices are at a record high. However, the vegetarian protein will remain expensive for consumers for another three months till the harvest of pulses begins.

"We expect a bumper crop of pulses this year as prices are very good. Softening of prices will happen from September onward," said Bimal Kothari, vice-president, Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA).

India had imported 57.90 lakh tonne of pulses in the 2016 fiscal, which is the highest ever. However, imports may come down in 2017 fiscal if the monsoon rainfall is good as expected. However, the industry is concerned about the performance of the monsoon at its fag end, when most crops are in harvesting phase as excess rainfall can upset them. "The actual production of pulses will depend upon the ground situation and rainfall at the time of harvesting," said Kothari.