Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, approved Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, a six-year central scheme aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulses production by 2030–31. The mission will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2030-31 with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore.
Objective: Reduce import dependency, increase domestic production, enhance farmer incomes, and strengthen the pulse value chain.
Key Highlights
- Implementation period: 2025-26 to 2030-31
- Financial outlay: ₹11,440 crore
- Target:
- Increase pulses production to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31 (from 242 lakh tonnes in 2023-24)
- Expand area under pulses cultivation to 310 lakh hectares (from 242 lakh hectares)
- Improve yield to 1,130 kg/ha (from 881 kg/ha)
- Cluster-based approach: Across 416 focused districts
- Pulses focus: Tur (pigeon pea), Urad (black gram), Masur (lentil)
- Assured procurement:
- Under Price Support Scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA
- Implemented by Nafed and NCCF for registered farmers for next four years
Program Features
Research and Seed Development
- Multi-location trials in major pulse-growing states for high-yielding, pest-resistant, climate-resilient varieties
- Breeder seed production supervised by ICAR
- Foundation and certified seed production by central & state agencies
- Seed tracking through Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal
Seed Distribution
- 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds for 370 lakh hectares
- 88 lakh seed kits distributed free for 35 lakh additional hectares, focusing on rice fallow areas, intercropping, and crop diversification
Processing and Value Chain Development
- Establish 1,000 new packaging and processing units with maximum subsidy of ₹25 lakh per unit
- Strengthen procurement, storage, processing and reduce post-harvest losse.
Farmer Capacity Building
- Structured training programs for farmers and seed growers
- Promote sustainable farming techniques and modern technologies
Price Monitoring & Stability
- Mechanism to monitor global pulse prices
- Ensure assured procurement and price support, boosting farmer confidence
Environmental & Economic Impact
- Promote climate-resilient practices
- Enhance soil health and productive utilisation of fallow areas
- Reduce import dependency, conserve foreign exchange, increase farmer incomes, and generate employment
About Pulses in India
- India is world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses
- Domestic production has lagged behind demand, leading to 15–20% rise in imports
- Pulses are crucial for nutrition, soil fertility, and cropping systems
Nafed (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India)
- Apex cooperative marketing federation
- Implements Price Support Scheme (PSS) under PM-AASHA
- Ensures procurement from farmers, stabilizes market prices
NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd)
- Apex consumer cooperative organization
- Works with farmers and government to procure, store, and market agricultural produce
- Supports price stability and supply chain efficiency
Significance
- Strengthens India’s food security and self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) in pulses
- Reduces dependence on imports, saving foreign exchange
- Enhances farmer incomes and promotes employment
- Supports climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable farming practices
- Contributes to PM-AASHA objectives and national nutrition security
Key Facts
- Pulse yield 2023-24: 881 kg/ha
- Target yield 2030-31: 1,130 kg/ha
- Area under cultivation 2023-24: 242 lakh hectares
- Target area 2030-31: 310 lakh hectares
- Assured procurement agencies: Nafed and NCCF
- Seed tracking portal: SATHI
- Major pulses: Tur, Urad, Masur