Farmers’ group seeks import tariff and guaranteed MSP for red gram

The Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha has called on the Union government to impose an appropriate tariff on imported red gram and ensure that domestic growers receive the minimum support price, The Hindu reported. Sharanabasappa Mamshetty, the organisation’s Kalaburagi district president, made the demands at a press conference in Kalaburagi. He welcomed the export of the district’s geographical-indication-tagged tur dal but said local farmers also needed protection from weak prices.

The Union government has fixed an MSP of ₹8,450 per quintal for red gram for the 2026-27 crop year. However, farmers were receiving about ₹60 a kilogram in local markets, Mr. Mamshetty said.

He argued that a declared MSP was not enough without an effective procurement system. In his view, farmers should have a legal guarantee that allows them to actually obtain the announced price. Mr.

Mamshetty said India imported more than 5.05 lakh metric tonnes of tur between January and June 2026, about 43% more than during the corresponding period last year. He identified Mozambique, Myanmar, Tanzania and Sudan among the source countries. The farmers’ group said imports could weaken returns even as growers were encouraged to increase production.

It urged the government to combine access to international markets with domestic price security. The source material does not state whether the Union government has responded to the demands, or whether a tariff or additional procurement measures are under consideration.