India's masur (lentil) production is expected to reach an all-time high of 1.6 million tonnes in the 2023-24 rabi season, as per Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh. This surpasses the previous record of 1.55 million tonnes in the 2022-23 rabi season. Despite being the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses, India has historically imported certain pulses, including masur and tur, to address domestic shortages. Singh highlighted the changing dynamic this year, with increased acreage contributing to the record masur production. The total masur acreage expanded to 1.94 million hectares in the ongoing rabi season, compared to 1.83 million hectares in the previous year.
Singh mentioned that the country produces an average of 26-27 million tonnes of pulses annually, achieving self-sufficiency in crops like chana and moong. However, for pulses like tur and masur, India still imports to meet demand. While the government encourages increased pulse cultivation, Singh acknowledged the need for continued imports in the short term due to limited cultivation areas. Despite weather challenges, efforts to balance farmers' and consumers' interests have helped keep pulse prices reasonably under control in recent years.