Government lifts ban on export of few varieties of pulses

However, exports of these varieties of pulses can be undertaken after taking permission from agri export promotion body Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

At present, only organic pulses and kabuli chana are allowed to be shipped in a limited quantity.

In a late evening notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said it has "removed prohibition on export of tur, urad and moong dal till further orders. The ban on these varieties has been lifted with immediate effect".

"Opening of the export of pulses will help the farmers to get remunerative prices and encourage them to expand sowing area in coming season," it said.

Exports should be made through customs electronic data interchange (EDI) ports, the notification said.

Exports through Bangladesh and Nepal border will be allowed subject to registration of quantity with the DGFT, it said.

"Removal of export restrictions on urad, tur and moong by the government today is a welcome step that has the potential of benefiting the entire value chain beginning with farmer. It will correct price distortions, offer support to pulses selling below MSP and revitalise the milling industry," Pravin Dongre, Chairman, India Pulses and Grains Association, said.

This step will improve the returns to farmers and potentially open up greater investments in the sector, he added.

Retail prices of tur dal is ruling at Rs 70-75 per kg in Delhi as against Rs 80-85 per kg a year ago.

The country's pulses production has touched a record of 22.4 million ton in 2016-17 crop year (July-June) as against 16.35 million ton in the previous year on account of encouragement from the government.