DesiGuy1403
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If the sugar lobby is too strong to take head on, Modi can counter that by subsidizing pulses and raising the MSP for pulses. As things stand now, there is no incentive to grow pulses (to my knowledge) and so many incentives for sugarcane instead.
Imports, just like contract farming in Mozambique, should at best be stop-gap measures. In fact, cheap imports adversely affect our own pulses production - a reason why the farmers stopped growing pulses in the first place.
First point - Agreed, govt should bite the bullet and take on the sugar lobby. Frankly though, it will not happen, at least as of now. For Pulses, just like Sugar need extensive water and as of now again, Sugar lobby rules the roost. yes, long term measures should taken, let's wait and watch.
Second point - Global demand for pulses has risen, tremendously. With west finding health benefits of Pulses, they have taken to consuming them with vigour. Import of pulses is not a new thing, it has been happening for few years now.
Unless there is a policy and infra change in India, the demand for Pulses can not be met. Even if the changes happen, in short term we need the stop gap measures.
Also, I think there is a secondary objective to it. India want's to counter China's influence in Afrika. so, it's like targeting two things at once I think.