Introduction
Mission for Self Reliance in Pulses: The Union Cabinet has approved a new mission to achieve Aatmanirbharta in pulses, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26. The scheme seeks to reduce import dependency, meet the rising domestic demand, and enhance farmers’ income. It will run for six years from 2025-26 to 2030-31 with a financial outlay of Rs 11,440 crore.
Key Objectives
The mission aims to boost domestic production of pulses and achieve self-sufficiency. It will expand cultivation in rice fallow areas and other diversifiable lands, with a focus on crops such as Tur (Arhar), Urad, and Masoor. The target is to raise production to 350 lakh tonnes, expand the area to 310 lakh hectares, and increase productivity to 1130 kg/ha.
Static GK fact: India is the largest consumer and producer of pulses in the world.
Features of the Mission
The initiative emphasizes climate-resilient and improved seed varieties, post-harvest infrastructure, and value addition. A cluster-based approach will be adopted to ensure localized solutions.
Procurement is assured through NAFED and NCCF, which will buy 100% of produce from farmers in participating states over the next four years. To maintain farmer confidence, a mechanism to monitor global pulse prices will also be established.
Static GK Tip: NAFED was established in 1958 as an apex cooperative marketing organization in India.
Need for Self Reliance
India’s production of pulses increased from 192.55 lakh tonnes in FY14 to 244.93 lakh tonnes in FY24. However, demand has consistently outpaced supply due to rising incomes and changing food preferences.
India imported a record 72.56 lakh tonnes of pulses worth $5.48 billion in 2024-25, making it the world’s largest importer. This dependency not only strains the economy but also exposes farmers to global price fluctuations.
Static GK fact: Pulses are a major source of plant-based protein in Indian diets.
Way Forward
By expanding cultivation, ensuring procurement, and enhancing productivity, the mission seeks to reduce reliance on imports while improving farmer incomes. The strategy combines research, infrastructure, assured markets, and monitoring systems to strengthen India’s pulse economy.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Mission for Self Reliance in Pulses:
| Topic | Detail |
| Time period | 6 years (2025-26 to 2030-31) |
| Financial outlay | Rs 11,440 crore |
| Target area | 310 lakh hectares |
| Additional expansion | 35 lakh hectares (rice fallow, diversifiable lands) |
| Production goal | 350 lakh tonnes |
| Productivity goal | 1130 kg/ha |
| Focus crops | Tur, Urad, Masoor |
| Procurement agencies | NAFED and NCCF |
| Procurement coverage | 100% produce for 4 years |
| Import dependence | 72.56 lakh tonnes worth $5.48 billion (2024-25) |
