Due to extremely high prices of pulses, the effect of the drought in many parts of India, the central government has been considering a move to start contract farming in African countries and then import the produce back. After an almost 30 percent reduction in production of pulses, the possibility of growing tur and arhar dal, for instance, in countries like Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania, is being explored.
But here lies the question. Why not locate regions in India itself where these pulses and more can be grown. The government has been pushing the Make in India scheme which aims to keep businesses here and increase India economic outlook. Outsourcing a simple thing like the production of pulses or grain, doesn’t make sense. The aforementioned African countries do not have the infrastructure required to produce the amount of grain that would be needed. But surely certain states that have received adequate rainfall or could perhaps need a boost in their agricultural sector would be more viable candidates?
Contract farming in Africa is not a bad idea, but that should be supplemental to agricultural production in India. If something is possible here itself, why do we need to look elsewhere?
