In a bid to achieve greater self-reliance in pulses and diversify crop production, the government has announced the launch of a six-year "Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses."
This initiative will particularly focus on increasing the production of tur, urad, and masoor pulses. As a major consumer and producer of pulses, India still meets a portion of its demand through imports.
Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained the government’s commitment to addressing this challenge by focusing on these three pulse varieties.
The Finance Minister stated, "Central agencies (NAFED and NCCF) will be ready to procure these three pulses, as much as offered during the next four years from farmers who register with these agencies and enter into agreements."
The mission’s aim is to increase domestic production and reduce dependency on imports, ensuring that India becomes more self-sufficient in pulses. Additionally, the government has already rolled out the National Mission for Edible Oilseeds, which focuses on achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in edible oils as well.
Sitharaman emphasized the capacity of Indian farmers, saying, "Our farmers have the capability to grow enough for our needs and more."
She also highlighted the success India achieved ten years ago in reaching near self-sufficiency in pulses, where farmers responded to increased demand by expanding the area under pulse cultivation by 50%. However, due to rising incomes and increased affordability, pulse consumption has grown significantly, making it challenging to meet demand domestically.
India primarily consumes pulses like chana, masur, urad, Kabuli chana, and tur, yet despite various support measures for farmers, the country continues to rely on imports to meet domestic consumption needs.
Imports of pulses have surged, with the value reaching USD 3.74 billion in 2023-24. While India's pulse production increased from 16.3 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 24.5 million tonnes in 2023-24, the demand has grown at a faster pace, leading to a rise in imports from countries like Myanmar, Australia, Russia, Canada, and several African nations.
In another significant decision, the government has raised the loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for loans accessed via Kisan Credit Cards (KCC).
This initiative is set to benefit 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers, ensuring that they have access to timely and adequate credit. The KCC scheme aims to provide short-term financial support to farmers, helping them manage their agricultural needs effectively.