New Delhi, March 28 -- A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture has recommended 100 percent procurement of oilseeds and pulses at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), significantly higher than the current 25 percent, to reduce import dependence and protect domestic farmers.

The panel, in its 33rd report presented in the Lok Sabha, flagged India's continued reliance on imports, with edible oils accounting for nearly 56 percent of consumption and pulses imports estimated at 2.13 million tonnes. It noted that such dependence exposes farmers to global price volatility and puts pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

Push for Procurement Expansion and Import Safeguards

To address the issue, the committee recommended expanding procuremen...