Govt targets tur buffer of 1 mt

The Centre is ramping up efforts to stabilize the price of tur (pigeon pea), a staple in Indian diets, by targeting a buffer stock of 1 million tonnes (mt) for the fiscal year 2025-26, according to two people familiar with the matter.

- Dhirendra Kumar

The consumer affairs ministry is leading the effort amid expectations of rising domestic production and a declining price trend.

"So far, around 200,000 tonnes of tur has been procured, and the process is gaining momentum as arrivals increase in major producing states," said one of the persons cited above. "A higher buffer stock of the essential pulse will help in easing food inflation and keeping the prices of food items under control," this person said.

With procurement for the 2024-25 marketing season underway, officials expect purchases to reach around 500,000 tonnes by the end of March.