New Delhi - After signing memorandum of understandings (MoUs) with Mozambique, Malawi and Myanmar for importing pulses, India has approached Argentina and Brazil for deals under which the South American countries will undertake to grow tur and urad varieties with an obligation to export the products to India.

The discussions have been initiated with Argentinian authorities for growing pulses varieties which India imports in substantial quantities.

Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of consumer affairs recently held discussion with Argentina Ambassador in India Hugo Javier Gobbi for growing pulses in the South American country.

In a recent visit of Brazilian officials from the agriculture ministry to the country, India urged Brazilian authorities to explore the possibility of the deal.

Officials said that the government is aiming to reduce the import dependence of pulses varieties from a few countries.

The domestic consumption of pulses in South American countries is small while pulses such as urad and tur can be grown in these countries because of conducive weather conditions and are likely to be grown there for the purpose of exports to India, an official said.

This year, India has imported 2.28 million tonne (MT) of pulses – 1.08 MT (lentil), 0.77 MT (tur or pigeon pea) and 0.42 MT (urad or black gram) mostly from Australia, Canada, Myanmar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sudan and Malawi so far.

Brazil annually produces 3 MT of varieties of beans – black, copea and mungo which is enough to meet domestic demand as well as some exports to Vietnam, Pakistan and Egypt.

In addition, India is also exploring the possibility of growing pulses, especially tur and urad in Ethiopia and Tanzania to boost domestic supplies.

Earlier, India had signed an MoU with Mozambique for import of 0.2 MT of arhar annually for five years when the retail prices of tur skyrocketed to `200 a kg in 2016. This MoU was extended for another five years in September, 2021.