Lentil, also known as masur, is one of the most important pulse crops in India. It is rich in protein, iron, and dietary fibre, and contributes to food security and nutrition. India is the second-largest producer of lentil in the world, after Canada, and accounts for about 25% of the global production.
The Indian government has been promoting lentil cultivation as part of its crop diversification strategy to reduce dependence on imports, enhance soil health, and increase farmers’ income. To incentivize farmers to grow more lentil, the government has announced a substantial hike in the minimum support price (MSP) for lentil for the Rabi Marketing Season 2024-25.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the increase in the MSP of lentil by Rs 425 per quintal, from Rs 6000 per quintal in 2023-24 to Rs 6425 per quintal in 2024-25. This is the highest absolute increase in MSP for any rabi crop for the next marketing season. The expected return over cost of production for lentil is estimated at 89%, which is also the highest among all rabi crops.
The increased MSP of lentil is expected to boost its production and productivity in the country. According to official estimates, India is set to achieve a record lentil production of 2.8 million tonnes in 2023-24, surpassing Canada’s output of 2.6 million tonnes. The area under lentil cultivation has also increased from 14.5 lakh hectares in 2019-20 to 18.5 lakh hectares in 2023-24.
The government has also taken various initiatives to support lentil farmers, such as providing quality seeds, subsidised fertilizers, irrigation facilities, crop insurance, and market linkages. The government has also launched the Kisan Rin Portal (KRP), KCC Ghar Ghar Abhiyaan, and Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) to provide timely credit, information, and weather advisories to farmers.
Lentil is a climate-resilient crop that can withstand drought and frost conditions. It also improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Lentil is a staple food for many Indians, especially vegetarians, and has a high demand in both domestic and international markets. By increasing the MSP of lentil, the government has shown its commitment to the welfare of farmers and consumers alike.