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Informist, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

 

By Pallavi Singhal

 

NEW DELHI – Procurement of chana under the price support scheme is likely to begin from mid-March, once adequate quantities of fair and average quality produce start reaching the agricultural markets, a senior government official told Informist.

 

Asked about the delay in starting procurement, as arrivals are expected to begin in February, the official said the procurement will be kept on hold until moisture levels fall within acceptable limits. The fair and average quality specification for chana allows for maximum moisture content of 12%, which is typically achieved only after mid-March. "From around Mar. 15 till the end of the month, proper-quality stock will start arriving. That is when procurement will begin," the official said.

 

The government will try to procure at least 1 million tonnes of chana for its buffer stock, though officials said purchases could exceed the level if market supplies permit. Under the price support scheme and given the government's commitment to procure 100% of pulses output, government agencies are not constrained by initially sanctioned quantities and can scale up procurement if prices rule at or below minimum support prices.

 

The price of chana in the markets has inched up slightly, but still hovers around the minimum support price of INR 5,875 per 100 kg as arrivals of old-season chana decline. Prices are expected to remain range-bound until arrivals of the new crop gather pace. Rabi chana arrivals are likely to begin by February in parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, by March in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, and by April in Rajasthan, which will exert pressure on prices.

 

The procurement push comes against the backdrop of a steady decline in India's chana production in recent years. Output peaked at 13.54 million tonnes in the crop year 2021–22 (Jul–Jun) before falling to 12.27 million tonnes in 2022–23 and further to 11.04 million tonnes in 2023–24 due to reduced sowing area and adverse weather. Production is estimated to have risen marginally to 11.34 million tonnes in 2024–25, but remains well below the high point.

 

To rebuild depleted buffer stocks, the government had approved a higher procurement target of 2.8 million tonnes for the rabi marketing season 2024–25 (Apr–Mar). Buffer stocks had fallen sharply after the government failed to procure any chana in 2023–24, as production dropped and market prices stayed above the minimum support price. However, the actual procurement was only 320,000 tonnes.

 

However, with higher produce and better carryover stocks, the government will look to build its depleted reserves. "Due to better availability compared to last year, improved carryovers as well as imports, we see prices at MSP this season, which will help us build up our reserves," the official said. "Chana carryover stocks are expected to be 600,000 tonnes, with government stocks estimated at 300,000 tonnes and a similar quantity with private trade. Imports of around 1.4 million tonnes, largely from Australia, are expected to supplement domestic supplies."

 

Chana acreage in the current rabi season has risen over 5.1% to 9.59 million hectares from a year ago, as per the latest acreage report. According to government estimates, chana output will be around 11.5 million tonnes in the crop year 2025-26.

 

Asked if the government sees a supply crunch this year, the official said it does not, given sufficient availability from domestic output, imports, and substitutes such as yellow peas. "We have not stopped the imports of yellow peas but only applied a duty to them," the official said. "If chana availability drops, trade will up its yellow pea imports as it will still be cheaper than chana."  End

 

Edited by Rajeev Pai

 

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