Government buying of pulses falls 86% short of target.

After a big success during the earlier kharif season, government agencies have failed in pulses procurement in the ongoing rabi marketing season, missing their target by 86 per cent. Nafed procured only 19,779 tonnes of masur (red gram) as on July 3, against the target of 100,000 tonnes. And, 51,059 tonnes of chana (Bengal gram), against the procurement target of 400,000 tonnes. Respectively, 19.8 per cent and 12.8 per cent of the rabi marketing target. The government has set a buffer limit of two million tonnes for both kharif and rabi seasons, which is almost achieved. So, the ministry initially set the procurement target of 500,000 tonnes, later reduced to 400,000 tonnes. Price is a factor which prompted farmers to hold on to their produce.