Pulses for a healthy life/
Sprouting Lucrative Gaps in Nutrient-Rich Pulses Value Chain

The pulses scenario in India poses strange paradoxes, viewed from the standpoint of the global pulses industry. Let’s explore it from three viewpoints and see whether joining these points can connect the industry to a pot of gold.

Firstly, most pulses qualify to be called Smart Food as they are good for the consumer, the planet, and the farmer. Pulses are good for the consumer as they supply vegetarian protein and other vital nutrients. They are good for the planet as they require less or no urea to grow as pulses fix nitrogen in the soil.

As domestic demand for pulses has always been met by imports, pulses are evidently good for the farmer too, as there is demand for his produce. So why do farmers treat it as a secondary crop?

Secondly, in the last 50+ years, overall acreage, productivity and consumption patterns of pulses haven’t changed much. Total production has stood at around 18 million tonnes and overall acreage at around 23 million hectares.

There has been surplus production in recent times as a reaction to the demand-supply situation and perhaps profitability spurred extra production. Why wasn’t this production encouraged? Is the government’s lopsided policy the sole cause?

Finally, while India is the largest producer, consumer and importer of pulses, it is indeed an irony that protein in Indian diets is pathetically less than 50% of RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance), indicating a strong case of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM). Data from National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) surveys vouch for this (for more details, visit http://ninindia.org/ DietaryGuidelinesforNINwebsite.pdf ). As a thumb rule, every kilogram of body weight requires 1 gram of protein in our daily diets; failing which it may become difficulty to perform simple tasks and lead to weakness and fatigue. When pulse-based recipes are the backbone of every kitchen in India, why are we suffering from PEM? Is pulse protein costly? Is it not available? Or is it not sufficient?

While the last 60 years have seen a metamorphosis in the food business/industry, surprisingly, the developments have not reached pulses and related industry. Government subsidies, the Public Distribution System (PDS), and research and dissemination of high-yielding varieties continue to have headroom for improvement.

There is evidence of strong fundamentals for a great business opportunity, such as a strong demand curve, high yielding productivity techniques, latest communication and social media, integration of the rural economy through the primary sector, latest processing machinery, environmental sensitivity, changing dietary patterns across the world, demand for vegetarian protein, and modern packaging and logistical solutions, among others.

The recent decision by the Indian government to slap heavy import duties on pulses and allowing their export has put many countries supplying pulses to India at risk of uncertain markets. This can have drastic consequences on sowing patterns in the future.

Given this uncertainty, is there not an opportunity of creating value added products rather than just supplying a commodity? 

All these fundamentals have co-created a context for innovation. There are only a handful of value added pulse products in weaning foods, geriatric foods, athletic diets, and ready-to-eat and readyto- cook segments.

There is plenty of scope to attract new market segments and stimulate new consumption patterns for value added products by enrolling and partnering with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), NGOs, Self-help Groups (SHGs), and research institutions.

A concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, can regulate the pulse of the global pulses industry and unravel the opportunities behind these paradoxes.