The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses is a six-year initiative launched by the Indian government in the 2025-26 Union Budget. Its primary objective is to achieve self-reliance in pulse production, with a focus on three key pulses:
- Tur/Arhar (Pigeonpea)
- Urad (Black Gram)
- Masoor (Red Lentil)
Pulses are vital for India’s food security and nutrition. Despite being the world’s largest producer of pulses, India has relied heavily on imports to meet domestic demand. The mission is a targeted effort to increase domestic output, improve productivity, provide market support, and strengthen supply chains for pulses.
The government has allocated Rs 1,000 crore for this mission, which also involves MSP-based procurement and enhanced storage and distribution mechanisms.
Why is Self-Reliance in Pulses Important for India?
India’s agricultural sector employs 46.1% of the population, but contributes only 16.6% to the GDP. Pulses are an essential source of protein, particularly for vegetarians, and play a vital role in soil fertility, nutrition, and sustainable farming.
Current Challenges in Pulse Production
Despite producing 25% of the world’s pulses, India still imports about 14% of its domestic demand. Some key reasons include:
- Policy Bias: Government policies historically favored wheat and rice during the Green Revolution, reducing incentives for pulse cultivation.
- Climatic Vulnerabilities: Pulses are mostly rain-fed and sensitive to droughts, erratic monsoons, and unseasonal rainfall.
- Low Productivity: Average yields of pulses are around 660 kg/ha, below the global average of 909 kg/ha, due to poor seed quality and low adoption of modern farming techniques.
- Fragmented Farming: Most pulse farmers are small and marginal (<2 hectares), limiting investment in technology, irrigation, and crop protection.
- Soil and Pest Challenges: Pulses, being protein-rich, attract pests and diseases more than many other crops.
How did India’s Pulse Imports Trend Historically?
India’s pulse imports have fluctuated due to domestic production gaps and climatic shocks:
- 2013-14 to 2016-17: Imports increased from $1.83 billion to $4.24 billion.
- Post-2017: Imports declined due to improved production and self-reliance efforts.
- 2023-24: Drought caused a spike in imports to $3.75 billion.
- 2024-25: Pulse imports reached 7.3 million tonnes valued at USD 5.5 billion, surpassing the 2016-17 record.
Major pulse import sources include Canada, Russia, Australia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Myanmar, and the USA.
What are the Objectives of the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses?
The mission aims to create a sustainable, productive, and self-reliant pulse sector. Its main objectives are:
- Enhance Domestic Production: Increase annual pulse production to meet national requirements and reduce import dependency.
- Improve Productivity: Promote advanced agricultural practices, climate-resilient and high-yield varieties, and modern technology.
- Promote Sustainable Farming: Encourage environmentally friendly and resource-efficient cultivation methods.
- Strengthen Market Networks: Establish strong supply chains to ensure stable and remunerative prices for farmers.
- Enhance Farmer Income: Provide financial, technological, and policy support to improve economic outcomes for pulse farmers.
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How is the Mission Aatmanirbharta in Pulses Implemented?
The mission follows a multi-tiered approach, involving the central government, state governments, farmer organizations, and research institutions.
Central Coordination
- The central government frames policies, allocates funds, monitors progress, and evaluates outcomes.
- Central procurement agencies like NAFED and NCCF procure pulses from registered farmers for four years, ensuring a minimum support price (MSP).
State-Level Implementation
- State governments adapt mission strategies based on local conditions.
- They develop production plans for pulses, considering soil, rainfall, and regional preferences.
District and Local Execution
- Local agriculture departments, district authorities, and farmer cooperatives directly implement the mission.
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) help facilitate production, training, and market access.
Public-Private Partnerships
- Private entities contribute to research, infrastructure development, and market linkages.
- This helps leverage private sector expertise and financial resources for greater efficiency.
What are the Components of the Mission?
The mission comprises several critical components to achieve its objectives:
- Research and Development (R&D): Develop high-yielding, climate-resilient, and pest-resistant varieties; collaborate with agricultural institutions like ICAR for technology dissemination.
- Extension Services: Train farmers on best cultivation practices, soil management, water conservation, and pest control; promote precision farming, intercropping, and zero-till farming.
- Infrastructure Development: Upgrade irrigation systems, storage facilities, and transportation networks; reduce post-harvest losses, currently estimated at 5–10%.
- Financial Support: Provide subsidies, insurance schemes, and credit facilities to mitigate risks.
- Market Reforms: Ensure MSP for pulses and establish direct sales channels to minimize dependency on intermediaries.
How have Government Initiatives Boosted Pulse Production?
Several existing programs support pulse cultivation in India:
- National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses: Enhances productivity and land allocation for pulses.
- PM-AASHA Scheme: Ensures fair prices through procurement, price support, and private procurement initiatives.
- National Mission on High Yielding Seeds (NMHYS): Focuses on high-quality seed production.
- ICAR Initiatives: Developed 343 high-yielding pulse varieties since 2014.
Impact of These Initiatives
- Pulse production increased from 13 million tonnes in 2002 to 26 million tonnes in 2024.
- Procurement of pulses rose 74 times between 2009-14 and 2016-22.
- Cultivated area for pulses increased from 20% to 24% between 2015-16 and 2021-22.
- Import dependency dropped from 19% in 2013-14 to around 9% in 2021-22, projected to reach 3% by 2030-31.
What are the Expected Outcomes of the Aatmanirbharta in Pulses Mission?
The mission is designed to deliver both economic and social benefits:
- Economic: Reduced import costs, improved trade balance, and increased farmer income.
- Social: Enhanced nutrition and reduced rural poverty.
- Environmental: Improved soil health and adoption of sustainable farming practices.
- Agricultural Productivity: Higher yields, better pest and disease management, and resilient varieties.
- Market Stability: Stable prices through MSP procurement and buffer stock policies.
What Challenges does the Mission Face?
Despite positive growth, several challenges remain:
- Climate Variability: Unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and temperature fluctuations affect pulse yields.
- Market Fluctuations: Global market trends impact domestic pulse prices.
- Resource Constraints: Small farmers may lack access to quality seeds, irrigation, and technology.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Limited storage, transport, and processing facilities restrict efficiency.
- Policy Ambiguity: Unclear MSP policies and import duties can affect farmer incentives.
What Measures can Strengthen the Mission’s Success?
To make the mission sustainable and effective, the following measures are recommended:
- Climate-Resilient Varieties: Develop pulses resistant to drought, pests, and extreme temperatures.
- Market Integration: Align domestic production with global trade while protecting farmer interests.
- Inclusive Support: Provide small and marginal farmers with access to finance, technology, and markets.
- Infrastructure Investment: Build storage, irrigation, and processing facilities in underdeveloped regions.
- Policy Reforms: Ensure consistent MSP, rebalancing subsidies from water-intensive crops to pulses, and expand PM-AASHA coverage.
How has Technology Helped Improve Pulse Production?
Technological interventions have been instrumental in increasing productivity and reducing dependency on imports:
- High-Yielding Varieties: Development of climate-resilient and pest-resistant pulses.
- Precision Farming: Use of sensors, soil health cards, and AI-based pest management.
- Micro-Irrigation: Drip and sprinkler systems enhance water use efficiency.
- Post-Harvest Technology: Hermetic storage, mini dal mills, and modern silos reduce losses.
- Extension Services: Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) provide farmer training on sustainable practices.
What are the Economic and Social Impacts of the Mission?
The mission has already begun showing positive impacts:
- Farmer Income: Higher MSP and improved market access increase earnings.
- Food Security: Greater pulse availability reduces dependence on imports and ensures stable prices.
- Nutrition: Enhanced protein availability improves population health.
- Environment: Sustainable practices protect soil and reduce chemical usage.
What is the Future of Pulse Production in India?
With continued support from the government and adoption of modern technologies, India is on track to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses by 2028-29. The mission’s success will depend on:
- Effective R&D and adoption of high-yielding varieties
- Strengthened procurement mechanisms
- Expanded infrastructure and supply chains
- Climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices
Key Takeaway
| Aspect | Details |
| Mission Name | Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses |
| Duration | 6 years |
| Budget | Rs 1,000 crore |
| Focus Pulses | Tur/Arhar, Urad, Masoor |
| Objectives | Enhance production, improve productivity, promote sustainable farming, enhance farmer income |
| Key Agencies | NAFED, NCCF, ICAR |
| Government Schemes Linked | NFSM-Pulses, PM-AASHA, NMHYS |
| Challenges | Climate variability, market fluctuations, resource constraints, infrastructure gaps |
| Expected Outcomes | Self-sufficiency, improved nutrition, economic gains, environmental benefits |
| Target | Self-reliance by 2028-29 |
Also Read:
Questions Based on Aatmanirbharta in Pulses Scheme
- Which three pulses are the primary focus of the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses?
a) Chana, Moong, Masoor
b) Tur/Arhar, Urad, Masoor
c) Urad, Chana, Soybean
d) Tur, Chana, Moong
e) Masoor, Moong, Lentil - How much budget was allocated for the mission in 2025-26?
a) Rs 500 crore
b) Rs 1,000 crore
c) Rs 1,500 crore
d) Rs 2,000 crore
e) Rs 2,500 crore - Which agencies are responsible for MSP procurement under the mission?
a) FCI and NABARD
b) NAFED and NCCF
c) ICAR and NFSM
d) KVKs and FPOs
e) PM-AASHA and RKVY - What percentage of India’s population depends on agriculture?
a) 35%
b) 46.1%
c) 50%
d) 60%
e) 70% - What is the main reason for India’s pulse import dependency?
a) Policy bias towards wheat and rice
b) Low population
c) High production of pulses
d) Lack of demand
e) Excess storage facilities - Which scheme ensures fair price support for pulses?
a) NFSM
b) PM-AASHA
c) NMSA
d) RKVY
e) NMHYS - What is the current average yield of pulses in India?
a) 500 kg/ha
b) 660 kg/ha
c) 750 kg/ha
d) 800 kg/ha
e) 909 kg/ha - By what year does India aim to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses?
a) 2025
b) 2028-29
c) 2030
d) 2035
e) 2040 - Which Indian states are the top producers of pulses?
a) Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal
b) MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, UP, Karnataka
c) Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat
d) Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka
e) Assam, Tripura, Nagaland - What is the role of ICAR in the mission?
a) Storage management
b) Research & Development
c) Market procurement
d) Farmer insurance
e) Irrigation infrastructure
Answer Key
| Question Number | Answer | Question Number | Answer |
| 1 | b | 6 | b |
| 2 | b | 7 | b |
| 3 | b | 8 | b |
| 4 | b | 9 | b |
| 5 | a | 10 | b |
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