In a major push towards agricultural self-reliance, the Union Cabinet on October 1, 2025, approved a six-year programme titled the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses. Spanning from 2025-26 to 2030-31, the initiative comes with a significant financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore, aiming to boost domestic pulses production to 350 lakh tonnes, reduce import dependency, and secure income for nearly 2 crore farmers. Despite being the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, India still relies on imports to meet about 15–20% of its demand. With rising health consciousness and protein needs, pulses consumption has surged. This mission seeks to reverse the supply-demand gap and strengthen rural livelihoods.

Mission Objectives and Targets

The core aim of the mission is to achieve self-sufficiency (Aatmanirbharta) in pulses. By 2030-31, the government aims to,

• Expand area under pulses to 310 lakh hectares
• Increase yield to 1,130 kg/ha
• Achieve production of 350 lakh tonnes
• Reach around 2 crore farmers through targeted interventions

Key Features and Strategic Components

High-Quality Seeds and Research

To ensure improved productivity, the mission focuses on distributing 88 lakh free seed kits to farmers. These seeds are designed to be high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient. Additionally,

• 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds will be distributed to cover 370 lakh hectares
• Five-year rolling seed production plans will be developed by states
• The SATHI portal will track seed quality and distribution

Area Expansion and Crop Diversification

An additional 35 lakh hectares will be brought under pulses by targeting rice fallow areas and other underutilized lands. The mission promotes,

• Intercropping with major crops
• Crop diversification aligned with regional agro-climatic conditions
• Convergence with existing schemes like the Soil Health Programme and Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization

Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Management

To minimize crop losses and enhance value addition,

• 1,000 pulse processing and packaging units will be established
• A subsidy of up to ₹25 lakh per unit will be provided
• These units will help improve storage, reduce wastage, and increase farmer earnings

Cluster-Based Implementation

The mission will adopt a cluster-based approach, customizing interventions based on specific regional needs. This allows,

• Efficient resource allocation
• Location-specific varietal adoption
• Stronger local market linkages

Procurement and Market Stability

A crucial pillar of the mission is 100% assured procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the next four years. Farmers who register and sign agreements with procurement agencies will benefit from Minimum Support Price (MSP) security. Key highlights include,

• Implementation through NAFED and NCCF
• Boosting farmer confidence with price monitoring mechanisms
• Ensuring procurement reaches even remote areas

Significance of the Mission

• Reducing Imports and Saving Foreign Exchange: India has traditionally imported pulses to meet demand shortfalls. Achieving Aatmanirbharta will reduce import dependency and conserve foreign exchange, making India less vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
• Enhancing Farmer Incomes: Better seeds, assured MSP, access to infrastructure, and reduced post-harvest losses will translate into higher net incomes for farmers, particularly small and marginal ones.
• Nutrition and Food Security: Pulses are a major source of protein and micronutrients. Scaling up domestic production ensures more affordable and accessible nutrition for the population, especially the poor.
• Environmental and Climate Gains: Pulse crops naturally improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and are water-efficient, making them environmentally sustainable. Promoting climate-resilient varieties adds a layer of risk-proofing against weather variability.

Challenges Ahead

While the mission is ambitious, several challenges must be addressed.

• Farmer adoption of new varieties may be slow without robust extension support
• Logistics of distributing seeds and setting up processing units across rural India
• Sustaining procurement efforts beyond the four-year assurance period
• Monitoring and evaluation to ensure funds and resources reach target beneficiaries

Static Facts

• India is the largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses in the world.
• Major pulse crops: Tur (Arhar), Urad (Black Gram), Masoor (Lentil), Moong (Green Gram), Chana (Gram).
• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) was established in 1929, headquartered in New Delhi.
• NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation) was founded in 1958.
• CACP (Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices) recommends MSPs for 22 crops including pulses.
• PM-AASHA (2018) is a central scheme ensuring price support through three components: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS).
• Soil Health Card Scheme launched in 2015, aims to promote balanced fertilizer use based on soil analysis.