India Unveils ₹11440 Crore Plan to End Pulse Imports and Boost Farmer Incomes
India launches a ₹11,440 crore mission to become self-reliant in pulses by 2031.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit a Rs 11,440 crore central scheme, the "Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses," to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses production from 2025-26 to 2030-31. Announced in the 2025-26 Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, this ambitious six-year initiative targets a significant increase in domestic production of tur, urad, and masur to reduce India’s reliance on imports.
India, the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, has seen a 15-20% surge in pulse imports due to rising demand fueled by increasing incomes and living standards. The mission aims to reverse this trend by boosting pulses production from 242 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-32. This will be achieved by expanding cultivation areas from 242 lakh hectares to 310 lakh hectares and improving yield from 881 kg per hectare to 1,130 kg per hectare.
The mission adopts a cluster-based approach, targeting 416 districts for focused development. Key strategies include promoting high-yield, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient pulse varieties through multi-location trials in major pulse-growing states. The government will distribute 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds, covering 370 lakh hectares, and provide 88 lakh free seed kits to expand cultivation by 35 lakh hectares, particularly in rice fallow areas and through intercropping.
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A cornerstone of the mission is the assured procurement of tur, urad, and masur under the Price Support Scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed) and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) will procure 100% of these pulses from registered farmers for the next four years, ensuring price stability and farmer confidence. A global pulse price monitoring mechanism will further safeguard market stability.
To strengthen the value chain, the mission will establish 1,000 new packaging and processing units, offering subsidies up to Rs 25 lakh per unit. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will oversee breeder seed production, while state and central agencies will manage foundation and certified seed production, tracked via the Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal. States will also develop five-year seed production plans to ensure a steady supply.
The initiative emphasizes capacity building through structured training for farmers and seed growers, promoting sustainable techniques and modern technologies. By reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing storage and processing, the mission aims to bolster the pulses supply chain.
Expected to curb import dependency, conserve foreign exchange, and boost farmers’ incomes, the mission will also create significant employment opportunities. Environmentally, it promotes climate-resilient practices, improved soil health, and productive use of fallow lands, aligning with sustainable agricultural goals.
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