India’s Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

Why in News?

The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, launched on 11 October 2025, completes its first anniversary on 11 October 2026. With a financial allocation of ₹11,440 crore for 2025–26 to 2030–31, the Mission aims to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses production and strengthen India’s nutritional and agricultural security.

About the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

India is the world’s largest producer of pulses. Pulses contain approximately 20–25% protein, making them an important source of nutrition. They also contribute to agricultural exports and play a significant role in ensuring food and nutritional security.

The Mission aims to increase pulse production to nearly 350 lakh tonnes by 2030–31, with productivity reaching 1,130 kg per hectare.

Its major measures include:

• Focus crops: Enhancing the production of Tur (pigeon pea), Urad (black gram) and Masoor (lentil).
• Quality seeds: Promoting climate-resilient seeds and improved seed quality, with the distribution of 87.5 lakh free seed kits and 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds over six years.
• Expansion of cultivation: Increasing the area under pulses by 35 lakh hectares to reach 310 lakh hectares by 2030–31.
• Cluster-based approach: Intensifying pulse cultivation across 489 districts.
• Processing infrastructure: Establishing 1,000 dal mills to strengthen processing capacity.
• Assured procurement: NCCF and NAFED will procure Tur, Urad and Masoor from willing and registered farmers.

India’s Pulse Production

India’s pulse production and cultivation area have increased in recent years.

• Production: Rose from 256.83 lakh tonnes in 2024–25 to 274.09 lakh tonnes in 2025–26, according to the third Advance Estimates.
• Cultivation area: Expanded from 277.20 lakh hectares in 2024–25 to 286.46 lakh hectares in 2025–26.

Major pulse-producing regions include Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.

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