The nodal procurement agency for pulses in India is the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). NAFED is a cooperative organization that was established in 1958 with the aim of promoting agricultural marketing and processing activities to benefit farmers.

NAFED plays a crucial role in the procurement, storage, and distribution of pulses in India. Let's explore the reasons why NAFED is the nodal agency for pulses procurement:

1. Mandate: NAFED is specifically mandated to undertake the procurement of various agricultural commodities, including pulses, on behalf of the government. It acts as an intermediary between farmers and the market, ensuring fair prices for their produce.

2. Farmer-centric approach: NAFED works closely with farmers and farmer cooperatives to provide them with necessary support and assistance. It helps in organizing and training farmers, providing them with quality seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs, and facilitating the sale of their produce at remunerative prices.

3. Price stabilization: One of the key objectives of NAFED is to maintain price stability in the market. By procuring pulses directly from farmers, NAFED helps in preventing price fluctuations and ensuring a steady supply of pulses in the market.

4. Buffer stock management: NAFED also plays a crucial role in maintaining buffer stocks of pulses to meet any sudden increase in demand or supply disruptions. This helps in stabilizing prices during periods of scarcity or price volatility.

5. Market intervention: NAFED intervenes in the market to regulate prices and prevent exploitation of farmers. It undertakes open market sales of pulses to control prices and ensure availability at reasonable rates.

6. Government support: NAFED operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It receives financial and policy support from the government to carry out its procurement activities effectively.

In conclusion, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) is the nodal procurement agency for pulses in India. It plays a crucial role in ensuring fair prices for farmers, price stabilization, buffer stock management, and market intervention. Its farmer-centric approach and government support make it an essential organization in the Indian agricultural sector.