Ram Vilas Paswan admitted that the production of pulses has decline in the country.
Highlights
- India sending teams to Mozambique, Myanmar to explore possibilities
- Dal production falling due to the monsoon: Ram Vilas Paswan
- Price rise of vegetables like tomato possibly due to rumours: Minister
India is sending teams to Mozambique and Myanmar to explore the possibility of growing pulses or dal as it battles burgeoning demand and steep prices, food minister Ram Vilas Paswan has told NDTV.
"We may cultivate pulses there or sign a long-term agreement (to procure). For this, we are sending a team to Mozambique and another to Myanmar," he said, adding that the visits are likely to happen in the coming week.
He admitted that the production of pulses has declined in the country. "It has been happening since the last three years that the monsoon has affected the production of pulses," Mr Paswan said.
His comments come as prices of pulses have touched Rs 200 per kg, while two key vegetables - tomato and potato - staying costly at up to Rs 80 and Rs 35 per kg despite efforts by authorities to check the rise.
Mr Paswan also said that he suspected rumours to be one the reasons for price rise of vegetables like tomato even as production has gone up.
"I am also surprised that the production of onion, potato and tomato have all increased this year, and there is general consensus that the consumption has not changed much. So in these conditions, I think the reason for price rise is rumours," Mr Paswan told NDTV.