New Delhi, March 10 -- Amid global tariff flux and confusion over aims, India has made a relatively straightforward move. It has levied a 10% import duty on lentils, allowed in duty-free earlier, while extending a zero-rate on yellow peas till 31 May.

The new lentils levy is split between basic customs duty and Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess, which suggests the Centre has an eye on its revenue potential. But the primary motive is import substitution.

Self-sufficiency in this farm crop has been under the pressure of a demand upswell, as millions emerged from abject poverty to increase their protein intake, even as we saw a weak supply response to hardening lentil prices from India's policy-distorted farm sector. Of an es...