Govt wants hospitals, prisons, schools to eat more moong

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The Centre wants states to feed more moong dal to hospital patients, prison inmates and school students, two people aware of the development said. The move is part of an effort to boost moong demand in public institutions in order to stabilize prices for farmers facing low returns due to a supply glut.

Authorities are expecting a bumper production of moong dal. According to the agriculture ministry's first advance estimates, moong dal production for the kharif season alone is projected at 1.3 million tonnes (mt), compared with 3.6 mt in FY23 and 3.1 mt in FY24. Moong is a three-season crop, primarily grown in the kharif and summer seasons, with a smaller quantity produced during the rabi season.

In addition, the government holds a buffer stock of 800,000 tonnes of moong. “We are expecting record moong production this fiscal. We have also announced 100% procurement of all pulses to advance self-reliance," the first person said.

"States will be urged to encourage hospitals and other institutions to prioritize moong in their consumption. This move will support farmers in securing better prices for their crops and help reduce the strain on government granaries," this person said. The government has also offloaded 68,000 tonnes of moong for distribution through NCCF and NAFED under the Bharat Dal scheme at a subsidized rate of ₹107/kg, aiming to improve availability and affordability.