New Delhi, April 22 -- Domestic output of pulses is expected to shrink for the third straight year in 2024-25, according to the government data. If production doesn't pick up in 2025-26, it could have several cascading effects, ranging from the quantity of foreign trade done in pulses by India to the country's ambitions to become self-sufficient in pulses, from the prices of dals for consumers to the nutritional intake of the average Indian.

Pulses account for about 5% of India's crop output, and their output value was estimated at about Rs.1.5 trillion in 2021-22. For vegetarians, it is a good source of protein. Yet, in 2024-25, production of this vital item on the Indian food plate is expected to fall 5% over 2023-24 levels and 16% ove...