Supreme Court questions Duty Free Yellow Peas imports, seeks Policy Review to Protect Farmers

The Supreme Court has urged the Union Government to review its policy permitting duty-free import of yellow peas, stressing the need to protect domestic pulse growers and encourage crop diversification. Hearing a public interest plea challenging the policy, the Court called for a coordinated policy approach to ensure farmers cultivating pulses receive viable market returns while balancing consumer interests.

The dispute arose after Kisan Mahapanchayat approached the Court questioning the Centre’s decision to allow large-scale imports of yellow peas without imposing duties. According to the petitioner, the influx of imported pulses has pushed market prices of several domestic crops, including soyabean, groundnut, urad, moong and tur, below the Minimum Support Price (MSP), leaving farmers unable to recover production costs. The government, however, defended the policy, pointing to declining domestic production of yellow peas over recent years due to crop disease and supply shortages.

The petitioner also relied on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, which suggested aligning import duties with MSP to support domestic producers and encourage farmers to expand pulse cultivation.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that agricultural and trade policies must be harmonised so that imported produce does not undermine domestic farmers. The Court noted that farmers hesitate to grow pulses due to uncertain markets and weaker procurement systems compared to crops like wheat. As the Chief Justice remarked, “A farmer knows that if he grows wheat, he has a dedicated procurement system and assured price. But if he grows pulses, he may have to run from one shop to another in the grain market and may or may not get a fair price.” 

While refraining from issuing binding directions on economic policy, the Court urged the Union Government to convene a meeting of relevant ministries and stakeholders to reassess the existing framework and explore incentives for farmers to shift towards pulse cultivation.

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