Informist, Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

--Govt source: Closed chana procurement at 320,000 tonnes

--CONTEXT: Govt had wanted to procure at least 500,000 tonnes of chana

By Pallavi Singhal

NEW DELHI – The agriculture ministry has concluded its chana procurement for the current season, purchasing a total of 320,000 tonnes, according to a senior government official. The procurement, which was extended twice, was way below the originally sanctioned amount of 2.8 million tonnes.

The government had aimed to procure more chana as part of its efforts to support farmers and stabilise market prices, but it fell short of the sanctioned amount as prices hovered above minimum support prices.

The government had sanctioned a high amount for chana procurement based on a robust crop outlook. However, after struggling to procure, the government revised down the target to 1.0-1.5 million tonnes and then to 400,000-500,000 tonnes.

After the procurement window closed in Madhya Pradesh on May 31, the government attempted to ramp up purchases from Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat, but not with much success.

The government had hoped its chana purchases to rise after it extended the waiver on import duty of yellow peas--a cheap substitute for chana--till Mar. 31. It then hoped the monsoon rains would help fill its kitty, expecting farmers to dispose of stocks as storage becomes an issue.

The government has procured chana under the central government's Price Support Scheme at the minimum support price of INR 5,650 per 100 kg. The government may not intervene in the chana market through the Price Stabilisation Fund, the official said. Under the Price Stabilisation Fund, the consumer affairs ministry can procure a commodity at the prevailing market prices and sell it to consumers at subsidised prices.

"We think even 300,000-400,000 tonnes may do the trick if prices of the commodity stay steady and stable. However, even 1 million tonnes of the commodity will not be enough in case the yellow pea import policy sees any changes," the official said.

Chana prices in Delhi were steady at INR 5,810-INR 5,820 per 100 kilograms on Thursday. Prices usually rise during this time of the year, as consumption of chana and besan-based food items increases during the monsoon. However, the availability of yellow peas is eating into the demand for chana, preventing a substantial price increase, according to a trader. In 2024-25 (Apr-Mar), India imported 2.16 million tonnes of yellow peas, up 85% from the previous year. Imports of yellow peas are the highest among all pulses. End

Edited by Saji George Titus

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