The Union Cabinet Wednesday approved the Mission forAatmanirbharta in Pulses, a six-year initiative aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulses production in India, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said, emphasizing that the mission, with a financial outlay of Rs 11,440 crore, will be implemented from 2025-26 to2030-31.
“Pulses hold special importance in India’s cropping systems and diets. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses. With Rising incomes and standard of living,pulses consumption has increased.However, domestic production has not kept pace with demand, leading to a 15–20percent increase in pulse imports,” Vaishnaw said while briefing media persons on the decisions of the Cabinet.
The mission aims to increase pulses production to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31, expand the area under pulses to 310 lakh hectares, and raise yield to 1130 kg/ha. The initiative will benefit around 2 crore farmers through improved seeds, post-harvest infrastructure, and assured procurement.
The mission, Vaishnaw said, will help develop post-harvest infrastructure, including 1000 processing units, thereby reducing crop losses,improving value addition, and increasing farmer incomes. A maximum subsidy of Rs 25 lakhs will be available for setting up of processing, packaging units.
Key features include distribution of 88 lakh free seed kits to farmers, development of 1000 processing units to reduce post-harvest losses,100 percent procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the next four years, assured maximum procurement under Price Support Scheme (PSS) of PM-AASHA, and mechanism for monitoring global pulse prices to safeguard farmer confidence.
The mission is expected to reduce import dependency,conserve foreign exchange, and boost farmers’ incomes. It will also generate significant employment and accrue environmental benefits through climate-resilient practices and improved soil health.
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