Parliamentary Panel Seeks 100 MSP Procurement Of Oilseeds, Pulses To Cut Imports New Delhi, Mar 28 (KNN) A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture has recommended 100 percent procurement of oilseeds and pulses at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), significantly higher than the current 25 percent, to reduce import dependence and protect domestic farmers. The panel, in its 33rd report presented in the Lok Sabha, flagged India’s continued reliance on imports, with edible oils accounting for nearly 56 percent of consumption and pulses imports estimated at 2.13 million tonnes. It noted that such dependence exposes farmers to global price volatility and puts pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Push for Procurement Expansion and Import Safeguards To address the issue, the committee recommended expanding procurement under the PM-AASHA scheme to ensure full coverage of oilseed production and key pulses such as pigeon pea, urad, and lentil across all producing states. It also proposed a dynamic import duty mechanism, including a 20 percent safeguard duty on palm oil when global prices fall below USD 800 per tonne, to shield farmers from adverse price movements. The report further suggested increasing procurement centres in remote regions, supported by a digital portal and dedicated farmer helplines to improve access and efficiency. Focus on Technology and Seed Ecosystem Highlighting low productivity as a major challenge, the panel called for greater investment in advanced agricultural technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 and Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) to develop climate-resilient, high-yielding crop varieties. It recommended that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research release region-specific seed varieties by 2028 and proposed the establishment of seed hubs in every district by 2030 to boost seed replacement rates. The committee also suggested transforming the existing SATHI portal into a National Seed Grid to digitally integrate the seed supply chain, enable traceability through QR codes, and improve subsidy delivery. Regulatory Reforms and Farmer Protection To safeguard farmers, the panel proposed the creation of a national regulatory authority to cap seed prices and ensure compensation in cases of spurious seeds. It emphasised the need to replace the outdated Seeds Act, 1966 with a modern legal framework mandating compulsory registration, certification, and stricter penalties. The report also called for a stronger regulatory mechanism for genetically modified (GM) foods, including mandatory labelling norms. Addressing regional disparities, the committee recommended developing oilseed and pulse clusters in eastern and north-eastern states by 2028. It also stressed expanding irrigation coverage under the Per Drop More Crop scheme, along with promoting micro-irrigation, farm ponds, and IoT-based water management systems in rainfed areas. Boost to Farmer Incomes and Value Addition The panel suggested strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), promoting processing infrastructure, and scaling up branded initiatives such as ‘Bharat Dal’, while proposing a new ‘Bharat Oil’ brand for affordable edible oils. It further recommended reserving 40 percent of scheme benefits for women farmers and launching programmes to train rural youth in agri-entrepreneurship. Overall, the committee underscored the need for coordinated policy action across procurement, technology, market access, and regulation to achieve self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses while ensuring sustainable growth and farmer welfare. (KNN Bureau)
March 28, 2026