India’s Nationwide Pulses Revolution from Amlaha

Launch of the Pulses Revolution

India’s Nationwide Pulses Revolution from Amlaha: India formally launched its nationwide pulses revolution on February 7, 2026, from Amlaha in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh. The launch marked the operational beginning of the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission, signalling a decisive shift in India’s agricultural strategy. The objective is to move India from a major importer of pulses to a self-sufficient and export-capable nation.

The programme was rolled out at the Food Legumes Research Centre, Amlaha, under the leadership of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The consultation was designed as a field-driven exercise involving farmers, scientists, FPOs, seed companies, millers, and state governments. This approach marked a departure from earlier policy formulations that were largely centralised.

Policy Vision of Self-Reliance in Pulses

The Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission aims to ensure long-term independence in pulses production. The government emphasised that dependence on imports weakens farmer confidence and national food security. Pulses self-sufficiency has been linked directly to nutrition security, soil sustainability, and farmer income growth.

The mission focuses on expanding cultivation area, improving yield levels, and making pulse farming economically attractive. The Centre clarified that this is not a short-term procurement policy but a multi-year structural reform in agriculture planning.

Static GK fact: India is the world’s largest consumer of pulses, with a majority vegetarian population depending on them as a primary protein source.

Seed-to-Market Strategy

A core pillar of the mission is the seed-to-market value chain. The government will prioritise quality seed production, region-specific varieties, scientific cultivation, and assured market access. Centralised seed release mechanisms have been discontinued.

Seed villages and state-level seed systems will now be strengthened. Farmers adopting cluster-based pulse farming will receive seed kits and financial assistance of ₹10,000 per hectare. This ensures that productivity gains originate at the farm level rather than through post-harvest interventions alone.

Cluster Model and Pulse Mills Expansion

The nationwide pulses revolution follows a cluster-based production and processing model. Pulses will be processed close to production zones to reduce transportation costs and post-harvest losses. The Centre plans to support 1,000 pulse mills across the country with subsidies up to ₹25 lakh per unit.

Madhya Pradesh alone will receive 55 pulse mills, reflecting its status as the largest pulse-producing state. This strategy is expected to generate rural employment, enhance value addition, and protect farmers from distress sales.

Static GK Tip: Pulses improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, reducing fertiliser dependence.

Farmers’ Interests and Trade Policy

Concerns regarding international trade agreements were addressed clearly. The government assured that sensitive agricultural commodities including pulses, wheat, rice, maize, dairy, and poultry are fully protected. MSP mechanisms and domestic production priorities will not be compromised.

The policy stance aims to balance export growth in select commodities while safeguarding Indian farmers from volatile global markets.

Why Pulses Are Strategically Important

Despite being among the top producers, India imports pulses to bridge domestic demand gaps. Strengthening domestic production reduces foreign exchange outflow and enhances price stability. Pulses also play a crucial role in addressing protein deficiency and improving dietary diversity.

A strong pulses ecosystem supports climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable farming livelihoods.

Static GK fact: Major pulse crops in India include gram, tur, moong, urad, and masoor, cultivated across diverse agro-climatic regions.

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India’s Nationwide Pulses Revolution from Amlaha: