Masur dal portal to guarantee MSP to farmers

The government is set to launch a portal for masur dal (lentil) where farmers who register will be guaranteed the minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.

The initiative, first started for tur dal, is being expanded to cover masur and other pulses in a bid to make their cultivation lucrative for farmers, a senior official said, requesting not to be named.

"We are about to start registration of masur farmers ahead of the harvesting season so that the procurement process is smooth," the official said, adding that these farmers will get paid by direct benefit transfer.


Although India is the largest consumer of pulses, it is dependent on imports for domestic consumption. For masur, it depends on imports from Canada and Australia. Higher domestic production of pulses will help the country reduce their import.

While food inflation eased to 8.3% in January from 9.53% in December, it remained elevated compared with the year-ago period, when it was at 6%. The inflation rate at 19.54% in pulses remained a major factor.

As the government prepares to face voters in the general election, it has started selling chana dal in the retail market under the 'Bharat' brand at a subsidised rate.

The government expects India to become the world's largest producer of masur in 2023-24 crop year with production estimated at an all-time high of 1.6 million tonnes during this rabi season on account of higher acreage.