A study on problems of major pulses producers and their solutions in India

Pulses are a major constitutent along with rice or wheat in the Indian diet of the middle and lower class. Slight reduction in the production results in drastic increase in the price of pulses due to the deficit unfulfillment in the short duration as India is the only largest and important producer along with the major consumer. Survey is done in the Bundhelkhand (Pulse producing hub of India) and adjoining areas to understand the Pulses producers and producing region economic and livelihood pattern. Trade and  transport infrastructure, supply chain management, Price transmission behavior and margins earned by different value participants have been studied through nine mandis selected  within pulses hub and adjoining areas.

    The rules of trade and investment in pulses production are governed by processing and distribution rather than production. Lacking low-interest credit, commodity boards for producers, subsidized inputs, quality seeds availability and distribution with respect to time, place and quantity and access of market information engraves the problem with the individual pulses farmers. The strong policy intervention by government is needed to stabilize the price of Pulses through maintaining the buffer stock and price subsidizing to favor the consumers. Both producer and consumer remains culprit at the hands of few traders and processors.