Subdued pulses output likely

Government officials opine that output of pulses may be lower than expected (8.23 million tonnes from the kharif, or summer-sown, crop, against 8.59 million tonnes the year before) due to erratic rainfall. It is being said that to prevent a spike in the prices like the one of onions, government was closely watching the situation and would ensure adequate supply of protein-rich seeds. “The area covered was almost at last year’s level of 13.6 million hectares. But flood and heavy rains washed away crops in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat,” stated the official.