Policy planners are warning that high reliance on foreign staples exposes the nation to international supply disruptions and sudden price shocks. NITI Aayog vice-chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri cautioned that major interruptions in these critical dietary items could escalate into a strategic disaster. Addressing this vulnerability requires shifting domestic cultivation toward oilseeds and pulses while lowering the dominance of wheat and paddy. Moving to these alternative crops would also help conserve vital water resources and necessitates eliminating widespread agricultural waste.
Key points
Heavy dependence on foreign agricultural staples leaves the country vulnerable to severe…: Heavy dependence on foreign agricultural staples leaves the country vulnerable to severe global market shocks.
Agricultural policy must pivot toward cultivating oilseeds and pulses to reduce the exces…: Agricultural policy must pivot toward cultivating oilseeds and pulses to reduce the excessive dominance of wheat and paddy.
Promoting domestic pulse and oilseed farming can support water conservation and reduce ov…: Promoting domestic pulse and oilseed farming can support water conservation and reduce overarching agricultural sector waste.
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Lahiri said he was surprised to learn that chana (gram) consumed in India comes from Australia,
NEW DELHI: India may not yet be fully secure in meeting its food requirements, with heavy dependence on imports for essential commodities such as edible oils and pulses, NITI Aayog vice-chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri said on Friday.Speaking at an event in Delhi, Lahiri said India imports more than half of its edible oil requirements and relies on other countries for several pulses.He questioned whether the country was sufficiently prepared to deal with disruptions in global supplies and sudden price increases."We are talking about Viksit Krishi in Viksit Bharat in 2047. As we move towards Viksit Bharat at 2047, are we secure regarding our food supply across the various products? Perhaps not as yet," he said.Lahiri said he was surprised to learn that chana (gram) consumed in India comes from Australia, while masoor dal is imported from Australia and Canada. Some pulses also come from Myanmar, African countries and Russia, according to news agency PTI."Now you can ask what is wrong with India importing edible…
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