New Delhi, March 19 -- The Centre is ramping up efforts to stabilize prices of tur (pigeon pea), a key staple in Indian diets, by targeting a buffer stock of 1 million tonnes for the fiscal year 2025-26, according to two people familiar with the matter.

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

"So far, around 200,000 tonne 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...