Survey research on status of pulses buffer stock in India

Pulses are the chief source of protein in routine diet of Indian vegetarian population. During 2016–17 an unprecedented production of 22.95mt and import of 3.11mt had created a surplus buffer stock of pulses. Government of India had decided to liquidate the pulses buffer stock after examining the quality of stocks to accommodate the fresh arrival. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), has identified ICAR-IIPR to conduct survey research at 10 locations across the country on existing pulses buffer stock. A team of three members from ICAR-IIPR surveyed, observed and collected 47 samples of pulses (pigeonpea, chickpea, green gram, black gram and lentil) from 26 warehouses. The collected samples were analyzed for grain refractions and milling recovery. The physical observations on ventilation at godowns, bags, dunnage, stack size, sampling and maintenance of stocks were discussed in this article.