"If the production of pulses in the largest producing nation dips, it becomes difficult for the global markets to fill up the gap," Assocham said in a statement today.
India is world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses. However, still there is a gap of 2-3 million tonnes between the production and consumption of pulses in the country and the gap is met through imports.
The chamber has cautioned as the gap is further widening, it would exert pressure on food prices.
"Though there has been an increase in the Kharif pulses production estimated to be 6 MT in 2010-11 as compared to 4.30 MT in 2009-10, the gap in demand supply is likely to be widened further due to change in the consumption pattern both in urban rural areas," the chamber said.
It said the country’s dependency on imports to fulfill growing needs of the country in pulses steadily has been increasing and the per capita consumption has declined over the years due to endemic shortages in the domestic availability.