Cabinet Approves ₹11,440 Crore Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses (2025–31)
By | Udaybhai Thakkar
Mumbai: In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission for the period 2025–26 to 2030–31, with an outlay of ₹11,440 crore. The initiative aims to boost domestic production, reduce import dependence, and secure long-term food security for India.
India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, which hold a crucial place in both the nation’s cropping system and diet. Yet, domestic output has not kept pace with rising demand, forcing imports to cover 15–20% of consumption. To address this gap, the government announced the mission in the Union Budget 2025–26, targeting higher productivity, sustainable farming, and greater farmer incomes.
The mission will focus on developing and disseminating high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient varieties of pulses through multi-location trials in major producing states. A structured five-year rolling seed plan will ensure supply of breeder, foundation, and certified seeds, with ICAR overseeing production. By 2030–31, 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds will be distributed, covering nearly 370 lakh hectares of farmland.
To strengthen capacity, 88 lakh seed kits will be given free to farmers, while training programs will promote sustainable techniques and modern practices. The scheme also includes soil health initiatives, balanced fertilizer use, mechanization support, and large-scale demonstrations by ICAR, KVKs, and state agriculture departments.
A strong push will be given to post-harvest infrastructure with the establishment of 1,000 processing units. These will minimize losses, enable value addition, and raise farmer earnings, with subsidies up to ₹25 lakh for processing and packaging facilities. The mission will adopt a cluster-based model, tailoring interventions to local needs and promoting geographic diversification of pulse cultivation.
Procurement will also be secured under the PM-AASHA scheme, with NAFED and NCCF mandated to purchase 100% of registered farmers’ produce of tur, urad, and masoor for the next four years. Additionally, global market prices will be closely monitored to protect farmer confidence.
By 2030–31, the mission aims to expand the pulse cultivation area to 310 lakh hectares, raise production to 350 lakh tonnes, and improve average yields to 1,130 kg per hectare. Alongside import reduction and foreign exchange savings, the initiative is expected to create significant employment opportunities, strengthen farmers’ incomes, and promote climate-friendly farming and soil health management.
Speaking on the approval, Suresh Bhai Thakkar, Vice President of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and President of Thane District Wholesale Traders Welfare Federation, described the mission as “a historic step towards building a self-reliant India in pulses and empowering millions of farmers.”
