Deficit of legumes in India exacerbates in 2016

According to a recently published report by IndexBox Marketing, India will face a food crisis in the case of losing a significant green pea harvest in 2016. For the second consecutive year, a record drought is observed in India. The country is experiencing an acute shortage of rainfall and freshwater resources. As of June 2016, the volume of water in major reservoirs amounts to no more than 20% of the normal level. This will definitely entail a reduction in crop yield. Green pea is one of India’s major crops, and its importance, as well as that of other legumes, cannot be overestimated. Its harvest forecasts for the current year are negative.

Plant protein is essential in Indian dietary structure, as the diet is meager in terms of meat content. For a large part of the Indian population, legumes are the only source of protein. This makes green peas, along with other legumes, a very important food resource in the country. The crop success also lies in its high yields, allowing for maximum results with minimum investments. As of 2014, the yield of green peas in India totaled 96,800 Hg/Ha.

Per capita consumption of green peas in India was 3.4 kg/person in 2014. For the country with a high proportion of the vegetarian population, this figure is extremely low, albeit notable when compared to the global average value of 2.3 kg/person. Among the top fifteen countries in terms of green pea consumption, per capita consumption rate significantly (more than 2-fold) exceeds India’s only in Belgium (17.9 kg/person), Hungary (7.8 kg/person), and China (7.0 kg/person.). In these countries, a significant amount of products is supplied for processing (canning or freezing) and further exported to foreign countries, while in India, almost the entire volume is consumed by the country’s population.

Over the period from 2007 to 2014, per capita consumption of green peas in India increased at an annual rate of +7.5%, which was possible as a result of the industry’s development. However, the rate is still below the necessary level, and has a good chance of more than doubling.

Read more at IndexBox Marketing