New Delhi,
February 17, 2025: Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon'ble
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public, Distribution and Union
Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, inaugurated the
seventh edition of The Pulses Conclave 2025 (TPC2025) at
Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Themed ‘Pulses for Prosperity –
Nourishment with Sustainability’, the conclave reinforced India’s commitment to
the growth and development of the pulses sector. Organized by the
India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the apex body of India’s pulses and
grains industry, the conclave runs from February 12 to 14, bringing together
policymakers, international trade delegates, and industry leaders to drive
discussions on self-sufficiency, trade growth, and technological advancements
in the pulses sector.
The event was attended by key
dignitaries Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Cabinet Minister of Marketing and Protocol,
Maharashtra State; Shri Mitesh Patel, Member of Parliament, Government of
India; Shri Deepak Agarwal, Managing Director, NAFED, Government of India and Mr.
Vijay Iyengar, President, Global Pulse Confederation.
Shri Pralhad
Joshi, Hon'ble Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public,
Distribution and Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Government of
India highlighted, “India is not just ensuring food security but also
prioritizing nutritional security, with 81 crore people receiving free rations
under PM Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana. Pulses have been a part of our diet since
ancient times, providing essential nutrients while also enriching soil health.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we are committed to making India
self-sufficient in pulse production by 2027, ensuring farmers get fair prices,
consumers get stable supplies, and our agricultural sector becomes more
resilient. The newly launched six-year Pulse Self-Reliance Mission will play a
crucial role in expanding domestic production, with a special focus on tur,
urad, and masoor. Backed by procurement support from NAFED and NCCF, this
initiative will enhance farmer incomes and stabilize markets. With strategic
investments, policy support, and farmer cooperation, India will no longer have
to import even a single kilogram of pulses in the coming years.”
Smt Nidhi Khare,
Hon’ble Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, GOI speech at TPC 2025, said, “India is
the world’s largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses, with total
production increasing by nearly 40% in the past decade. Despite this growth,
the country still imports 8-12 LMT of Toor, 5-7 LMT of Urad, and 10-15 LMT of
Masoor annually to meet rising demand. To reduce import dependence, the
government has introduced procurement measures and is investing in
climate-resilient seeds, non-traditional acreage expansion, and solar-powered
cold storage solutions.”
Shri Jaykumar
Rawal, Cabinet Minister of Marketing and Protocol, Maharashtra State said,
“Maharashtra, a key pulses producer, cultivates tur, chana, moong, urad, and
masoor, ensuring food security. In 2024, the state procured 11.2 lakh metric
tons of soybean under the Price Support Scheme. Despite being the world’s top
pulses producer, India imports millions of tons annually. Maharashtra is
pushing self-sufficiency through research with the Indian Institute of Pulses
Research, focusing on high-yield crops and post-harvest efficiency. With Bharat
Dal, NAFED, and FCI procurement, the state remains committed to stabilizing
prices and supporting farmers.”
India is not just ensuring food
security but also prioritizing nutritional security, with 81 crore people
receiving free rations under PM Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana. Pulses have been a
part of our diet since ancient times, providing essential nutrients while also
enriching soil health. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we are
committed to making India self-sufficient in pulse production by 2027, ensuring
farmers get fair prices, consumers get stable supplies, and our agricultural
sector becomes more resilient. With strategic investments, policy support, and
farmer cooperation, India will no longer have to import even a single kilogram
of pulses in the coming years.
The inaugural session commenced
with an address by Bimal Kothari, Chairman, IPGA, outlining the conclave’s
agenda, followed by insights from Vijay Iyengar, President, Global Pulse
Confederation. Their remarks highlighted India’s growing role in global pulses
trade, the importance of policy support for sustainability, and the
transformative potential of technology in agriculture.
Mr. Bimal
Kothari, Chairman, IPGA mentioned “India’s pulses sector is
at a pivotal moment, backed by the government’s strong commitment to
self-reliance. With production rising from 16 million tons in 2015-16 to 27
million tons in 2021-22, the goal of Aatmanirbharta in pulses is now within
reach. However, as demand continues to grow due to rising incomes, health
awareness, and changing dietary patterns, challenges such as climate
variability make strategic imports essential to ensure stability in supply,
prices, and food security.
The recent Union Budget has
further strengthened this vision by introducing six new agricultural schemes
and increasing the subsidized Kisan Credit Card loan limit from ₹3 lakh to ₹5
lakh, benefiting 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. The launch of
the six-year Pulse Self-Reliance Mission, with dedicated support from NAFED and
NCCF for procurement, is a major step toward reducing import dependency and
enhancing farmer incomes. Additionally, the district-level program under the
Prime Minister Krishi Yojana will play a crucial role in improving farming
practices, irrigation, and credit access for 1.7 crore farmers.”
He further added, “At the
Pulses Conclave 2025, we are honored to have global leaders and policymakers
join us to shape the future of the pulses industry. Our discussions will focus
on boosting domestic production, strengthening trade partnerships, and
positioning India as a global hub for pulses and value-added products. With a
clear vision and collaborative efforts, we move forward with the theme: ‘Pulses
for Prosperity – Nourishment with Sustainability.”
Dr. Doto Mashaka
Biteko, Hon'ble Deputy Prime Minister of Tanzania, said,
“India is a key market for Tanzania’s pulses, and together we can achieve a
greater aim. Strengthening our collaboration will not only enhance trade but
also create opportunities for investment, innovation, and sustainable
agricultural growth. By fostering a stable and predictable supply chain, we can
ensure food security, economic prosperity, and a resilient future for farmers
and consumers in both our nations.”
With over 800 delegates from
20+ countries, TPC2025 serves as a high-impact platform for
industry leaders, trade stakeholders, and policymakers to collaborate on key
challenges and opportunities in the pulses sector.
The second plenary session
focused on foreign dignitaries and heads of foreign missions, featuring key
speakers such as Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, Hon'ble Deputy Prime Minister of
Tanzania, Mr. Ronaldo Caiado, Governor of Goiás, Brazil, Mr. Daryl Harrison,
Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Province of Canada, H.E. Mr. Minn
Minn, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar, and H.E. Dr. Tin
Htut, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation of Myanmar.
Other distinguished participants included H.E. Mr. Philip Green, Australian
High Commissioner to India, H.E. H.E. Kenneth da Nóbrega, Ambassador of Brazil
to India, and H.E. Mr. Mariano Agustín Caucino, Ambassador of Argentina to
India, and Ms. Jennifer Daubeny, Chargé d'affaire, High Commission of
Canada.
The day’s sessions explored
India’s agricultural trajectory, global market dynamics, and policy
imperatives. Discussions covered topics such as India’s growth story in
agriculture, the global pulses scenario in the Indian context, policy
perspectives on the Indian pulses sector, and the global outlook for pigeon
peas. Experts also examined emerging innovations in AgTech, particularly in
pulses-specific advancements and predictive technologies for crop yield
estimation.
Panel discussions featured
industry stakeholders analyzing market trends for key pulse varieties,
including Kabuli chickpeas, Black Matpe, and Green Mung. These sessions
provided insights into price movements, supply chain challenges, and avenues
for market expansion.
About The Pulses
Conclave (TPC):
The Pulses Conclave (TPC) is the world’s largest
conference-cum-exhibition dedicated to the global pulses sector, organized
biennially by the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA). Recognized as a
premier platform for industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and
stakeholders, TPC facilitates high-level discussions on sustainable
agriculture, global food security, trade policies, and market dynamics. The
event brings together senior government officials, foreign missions, trade
promotion agencies, processing houses, exporters, importers, traders, and
international value chain participants, fostering collaboration and business
opportunities. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, The Pulses
Conclave plays a vital role in shaping the future of the pulses industry,
strengthening India’s position in global trade, and promoting pulses as a key
driver of economic and nutritional well-being.
About IPGA:
India Pulses and Grains
Association (IPGA), the nodal body for the pulses and grains trade and industry
in India, has a pan-India reach encompassing over 10,000 direct and indirect
stakeholders, including individuals, corporates, and regional Pulses Traders
and Processors Associations. These stakeholders are actively involved in the
farming, processing, warehousing, import, and export business of pulses and
services across the entire value chain.
IPGA’s vision is to make the
Indian Pulses and grains industry & trade globally competitive and in so
doing, help advance India’s food and nutrition security. IPGA takes the onus of
essaying a leadership role in the domestic agri-business and plays a more proactive
role in the global domain to foster healthy relations among Indian market
participants and between India and all associates overseas.
For more information, please
visit: https://ipga.co.in/
For further media queries, please contact:
Hunk Golden and Media: Sonia Kulkarni | +919820184099 | sonia.kulkarni@hunkgolden.in