The rising import of oilseeds and pulses has made their cultivation unremunerative. In the light of this statement, elucidate the steps needed to promote the production and consumption of oilseeds and pulses in India.

Reasons for unremunerative cultivation (1) No import duty on imports -> government -> duty free import of pulses till March 2026. (2) Falling global prices e.g. Palm oil. (3) Dumping of products in Indian market -> cobweb phenomenon and lower prices for farmers. (4) MSP Regime & cereal centricity -> makes oilseed/pulse cultivation more risky & unremunerative. (5) High gestation time - of oilseed & pulses (e.g. oil palm - 5-6 year).

Steps Needed (A) Promote Production (1) Arvind Subramanium Committee on pulses -> Procurement of pulses at MSP -> Strategic buffer of pulse stock -> Focus on improving yield (2) NITI Aayog on oilseed -> Flat per ha subsidy for oil palm cultivation -> Encourage production of domestic oilseeds e.g. sunflower, groundnut (3) Other -> Diversification of cultivation toward pulses & oilseed -> R&D -> Better variety to improve yield e.g. GM Mustard

(B) Promote Consumption (1) Encourage consumption of domestic available pulses & oilseed e.g. arhar, groundnut oil (2) Eat right campaign -> lower oil usage in cooking (3) Shift to more protein rich pulses (4) Include in PDS -> incentives MSP procurement