Critical evaluation of production – import – export of lentils in India: an issue of food security

Pulses has the ability of withstanding extreme weather conditions, requires less water, has the capability of atmospheric nitrogen fixation, and is an affordable eminent replacement of animal proteins, especially for the economically weaker population. For a country like India, promising only around 47.9 g/capita/person/day of pulses of recommended 80 g/capita/person/day by National Institute of Nutrition (2011), the protein on the plate is not sufficient for sure. India, standing second in worldwide lentil production, in 2017-18 had the highest production of lentils between 2010-11 to 2019-20. Our analysis strongly depicts that in the decade (2010-11 to 2019-20) the production, import and export relation is not synchronised which robustly indicates that lentil cultivation, which seems to be in fair state, should be undoubtedly handled effectively to avoid threat in pulse circulation in India and globally. Also, before reaching any unprecedented agricultural hazard and to achieve total food security of lentils, it is obvious to look into the parameters which directly or indirectly affect lentil production and distribution throughout the country. Thus, we predict that efficacy of policy making of lentil security will have beneficial implementations on the economically deprived population in the rural India.