WINNIPEG — India is introducing 30 per cent tariffs on imports of chickpeas and lentils, the government announced today.

The import duties follow the 50 percent tariff on yellow peas that India introduced in November, and come as part of ongoing efforts by India to support farmers.

“Production of chana (chickpeas) and masoor (lentils) are expected to be high during the forthcoming rabi season, and cheap imports, if allowed unabated, are likely to adversely affect the interest of the farmers,” said the Indian government in a news release, adding that the import duties were imposed in order to protect farmers.

Reports out of India show that domestic chickpea prices already rose by four percent in response to the announcement.

Today india imposed a duty of 30% on lentils and chickpeas following a duty on peas of 50%. Food affordability and availability is a paramount concern. Govts should stay away from food. Let markets function. Canadian farmers are resilient. We will still flourish. #agstrong

— Murad Al-Katib (@muradagtfoods) December 21, 2017

India imported 57,400 tonnes of Canadian lentils from licensed elevators during the first three months of the current crop year, according to Canadian Grain Commission data. That’s down from 170,100 tonnes during the same time period the previous year. No Canadian chickpea sales to India have been reported yet this marketing year.