Union Cabinet Approves Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses 2025

Why in Discussion ?

• On 1st October 2025, the Union Cabinet approved a six-year program called the “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses 2025.”
  • Program Duration: 2025-26 to 2030-31
  • Financial Allocation: ₹11,440 crore
  • Objectives: Increase domestic pulse production to 35 million tonnes, reduce import dependence, and ensure income for approximately 2 crore farmers.
• India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses globally, yet it still relies on imports for 15-20% of domestic demand.
• The mission aims to bridge this gap and strengthen rural livelihoods.

Mission Objectives and Targets

By 2030-31, key targets include:

• Increase pulse cultivation area to 31 million hectares.
• Improve productivity to 1,130 kg/hectare.
• Achieve production of 35 million tonnes.
• Reach interventions to around 2 crore farmers.

Key Features and Strategic Components

(i) High-Quality Seeds and Research

• 88 lakh free seed kits to be distributed under the mission.
• Seeds will be high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient.
• 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds to cover 37 million hectares.
• States will develop five-year rolling seed production plans.
• A partner portal will monitor seed quality and distribution.

(ii) Area Expansion and Crop Diversification

• Rice fallow lands and underutilized areas will be brought under pulse cultivation covering 3.5 million hectares.
• Promote intercropping and crop diversification based on regional agro-climatic conditions.
• Convergence with existing programs such as the Soil Health Program and Agricultural Mechanization Sub-Mission.

(iii) Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Management

• 1,000 pulse processing and packaging units to be set up.
• Subsidy of up to ₹25 lakh per unit.
• Objectives: Improve storage, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase farmers’ income.

(iv) Cluster-Based Implementation

• Interventions based on regional requirements.
• Efficient resource allocation and adoption of location-specific varieties.
• Strengthen local market linkages.

(v) Procurement and Market Stability

• Under the Price Support Scheme (PSP), 100% procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor for the next four years.
• Registered farmers benefit from MSP protection.
• Implementation through NAFED and NCCF.
• Price monitoring mechanisms to build farmer confidence.

Importance of the Mission

• Reduce imports and save foreign exchange: Less dependency on imports.
• Increase farmers’ income: Through improved seeds, MSP, infrastructure, and reduced post-harvest losses.
• Nutrition and food security: Pulses are a major source of protein and micronutrients.
• Environmental and climate benefits: Nitrogen fixation improves soil fertility; water-efficient and climate-resilient crops.

Challenges

• Slow adoption of new varieties without strong extension support.
• Establishing rural seed distribution and processing units.
• Sustaining procurement efforts beyond the four-year assurance period.
• Ensuring monitoring and evaluation so that funds and resources reach targeted beneficiaries.

Key Facts

• India: Largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses in the world.
• Major pulse crops: Tur (pigeon pea), Urad (black gram), Masoor (lentil), Moong (green gram), Chickpea.
• Top producer state: Madhya Pradesh.
• Key institutions and programs:
  • ICAR – Indian Council of Agricultural Research (1929)
  • NAFED – National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (1958), CAACP
  • PM-AYUSHMAN ASHA (2018)
  • Soil Health Card Scheme (2015)