Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

The Prime Minister launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses with a budgetary allocation of ₹11,440 crore.

About Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

The ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’ is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulses production.
Objective: Reduce pulse imports (4.6 million metric tons in FY 2024), enhance farmers’ income, and ensure India’s nutritional security.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
Tenure: Six years (FY 2025-31).
Focus Crops: Tur/Arhar (pigeon pea); Urad (black gram) & Masoor (red lentil).

Production: Increase total pulse production to 35 MMT by FY 2030–31, up from 24 MMT in 2023-24.
Expansion: Expand pulse cultivation area to 310 lakh hectares, compared to 275 lakh ha in 2024-25.
- Of this expansion, 35 lakh hectares will be derived from rice fallow and other diversifiable lands.
Yield: The average yield is projected to rise to 1,130 kg per hectare from 881 kg/ha in 2023-24.

Procurement: Guarantees 100% MSP procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor for the initial four years.
- National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) & National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) will procure 100% of produce from farmers in participating states over the next 4 years under the Price Support Scheme of PM-AASHA.

Seed Distribution: Plans to supply 126 lakh quintals of certified, high-yield, climate-resilient seeds and distribute 88 lakh free seed kits.
Infrastructure: Provides for 1,000 new processing units with subsidies of up to ₹25 lakh each to strengthen post-harvest value chains.
Price Monitoring: Introduces a system to monitor international pulse prices, ensuring domestic price stability and farmer protection.

India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses. With demand exceeding domestic pulses production, the country is dependent on imports from countries like Myanmar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Australia and Canada.
In terms of area under cultivation, Rajasthan had the largest area under pulses, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
In terms of total production, Madhya Pradesh produced the highest quantity, followed by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
Gram (Chana) accounts for the largest area under pulses and gives the highest output. The main growing states are Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
Moong is the second most grown pulse crop, cultivated mainly in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Tur (Arhar/Pigeon pea) is the third largest pulse crop in terms of area. It is primarily grown in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
Urad (Black gram) is grown mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
Masoor (Lentil) is an important rabi pulse. Its main producers are Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Half of the total area under pulses and over 60 per cent of production was recorded during the rabi season.