Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today (October 1, 2025) approved the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, a six-year programme aimed at making India self-sufficient in pulse production. With a financial outlay of Rs 11,440 crore, the initiative will run from 2025-26 to 2030-31 and is being described as a “game changer” for India’s food security and farmers.
India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, but domestic supply has struggled to match rising demand, forcing the country to import nearly 15–20% of its requirement. The new mission is designed to cut this dependency by focusing on higher yields, climate-resilient seeds, expansion of cultivation areas, and stronger market support systems.
The programme will prioritise the development and distribution of high-yielding, pest-resistant varieties of pulses, with ICAR overseeing breeder seed production. Central and state agencies will manage foundation and certified seeds, tracked through the Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal. By 2030-31, the government plans to distribute 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds to farmers, covering nearly 370 lakh hectares.
The mission will also bring an additional 35 lakh hectares under pulse cultivation, especially in rice fallow and diversifiable areas. To promote crop diversification, 88 lakh seed kits will be distributed free of cost. Farmers will also be trained and supported in adopting modern practices such as soil health management, mechanisation, balanced fertilizer use, and sustainable farming methods.
Post-harvest infrastructure will be a key focus, with plans to establish 1,000 processing and packaging units, each eligible for a subsidy of up to Rs 25 lakh. These facilities are expected to reduce crop losses, improve value addition, and enhance farmer incomes.
Significantly, the mission provides for assured procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor under the government’s Price Support Scheme (PM-AASHA). Agencies like NAFED and NCCF will undertake 100% procurement from registered farmers in participating states for the next four years. A monitoring mechanism for global pulse prices will also be established to safeguard farmer interests.
By 2030-31, the government expects to raise pulse production to 350 lakh tonnes, increase yields to 1,130 kg per hectare, and expand cultivation to 310 lakh hectares.
The programme is expected not only to reduce import dependency and save valuable foreign exchange but also to boost farmer incomes, generate rural employment, and promote climate-resilient agriculture.
