Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : INDIA PULSES & GRAINS ASSOCIATION (IPGA) organized its seventh edition of ‘The Pulses Conclave 2025’ held from February 13th to 14th, 2025, at the prestigious G20 summit venue Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
IPGA’s biennial event ‘The Pulses Conclave’ popularly known as TPC has enjoyed resounding success during its previous editions and is recognised as the world’s largest conference-cum-exhibition of the pulses sector that attracts delegates from across the globe. The seventh edition of TPC is themed around “Pulses for Prosperity – Nourishment with Sustainability,” and explores the critical role of pulses in driving sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing global food security, and contributing to economic prosperity. This biennial gathering is an ideal platform for high-level discussions, insights into the latest industry trends, and collaboration opportunities that will shape the future of the pulses sector.
Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of Consumer Affairs, GOI inaugurated the Pulses conclave, in the esteemed presence of senior Government of India officials, foreign ministers, and diplomatic heads from key pulse-producing nations.
The conference-cum-exhibition is dedicated to the pulses sector. Previous editions have witnessed participation from over 30 countries, with 800+ delegates expected at TPC2025, the event will emphasize strategies to enhance India’s pulses production to achieve self-reliance, policy frameworks for a stable trade environment, technological advancements to improve efficiency, and global market value-added products.
Bridging the gap between domestic production and growing pulse consumption advancing India’s self-reliance (Atma Nirbhar Bharat) in pulse production. Enhancing sustainable agricultural practices to boost global food and nutrition security
The Pulses Conclave 2025 brings together eminent personalities, policymakers, senior government officials, researchers, foreign missions, promotional agencies, processing houses, exporters, importers, traders, service providers, and a large number of international value chain participants from key pulse-producing nations.
The government will not extend duty-free import of yellow peas beyond February, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on the occasion.
“We are stopping the duty-free import of yellow peas,” Joshi told reporters on the sidelines of The Pulses Conclave 2025.
The government had allowed the duty-free import of yellow peas in December 2023 and subsequently extended it thrice till February 28.
The food ministry has given its comments and a final decision on imposing customs duty on yellow peas will be taken by the GoM, he added.
Speaking about the event and World Pulses Day 2025, Bimal Kothari, Chairman, of India Pulses & Grains Association (IPGA) said, “World Pulses Day 2025, themed ‘Pulses: Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems, underscores the vital role of pulses in enhancing global nutrition, promoting sustainability, and ensuring food security. Pulses are not only a rich source of plant-based protein but also a key driver of sustainable agriculture, improving soil fertility and reducing carbon footprints. As India advances towards self-reliance in pulses production, it is crucial to strengthen domestic cultivation, enhance value chains, and boost consumer awareness.
In alignment with this vision, The Pulses Conclave 2025 honored and celebrated the essence of World Pulses Day by bringing together global stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders to drive strategic discussions on increasing Indigenous production, fostering innovation, and addressing the pulses sector. As the world’s largest pulses-focused platform, TPC2025 will reinforce India’s commitment to building a more resilient and diverse agrifood system.”
Meanwhile, India Pulses and Grain Association (IPGA) Chairman Bimal Kothari said the government may impose restrictions on yellow peas import in the interest of farmers.
“We expect that this (duty-free import of yellow peas) may not be extended or there might be some restrictions on the import,” he said at a press conference organized on the sidelines of The Pulses Conclave.
India’s yellow peas import stood at 30 lakh tonnes out of 67 lakh tonnes of overall pulses import during the 2024 calendar year, he added.
“Our pulses production was badly hit last year and the prices were high so we had to import. But I don’t think this year we are going to import a similar quantity, it will be much less.”
With likely curbs on the import of yellow peas, Kothari said the country’s overall pulses import may decline in the 2025-26 fiscal from the estimated 5.5 million tonnes in the current year due to higher domestic production.
The industry expects the government may impose a 15-20 percent import duty on yellow peas.
The Pulses Conclave 2025 focused on several key areas, including:
• Sustainable pulses production.
• Technological advancements in the pulses industry aimed at improving efficiency across the value chain.
• Global market dynamics and fostering international trade partnerships
• Value-added products from pulses, such as protein extraction and nutritional fortification, to enhance food security and nutrition
• Investment opportunities in processing infrastructure, supply chain management, and post-harvest solutions.
• Policy advocacy to support a liberal and stable trade environment benefiting all stakeholders in the pulses ecosystem.
