'On the other hand, wheat, rice, oilseed and maize have respectively witnessed an annual growth of 2.8 percent, 2.23 percent, 1.88 percent and 1.7 percent.'

According to the report, while total pulses availability in the country has reflected a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.39 percent during the last two decades, the population has increased at a CAGR of more than 1.8 percent.

Interestingly, India's exports of pulses grew at a far greater pact than imports, from 1.09 thousand tonne in 1980-81 to 447.44 thousand tonnes in 2005-06.

The report said imports of pulses grew at CAGR 10.38 percent from nearly 173,000 tonnes in 1980-81 to 226,000 thousand tonnes in 2006-07, mainly due to low import tariff rates which currently stands at zero percent.

India imports from Canada, Myanmar, Australia and the US.