Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission

Why in News?

The Union Agriculture Minister reviewed NAFED procurement operations and discussed Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission to ensure assured MSP procurement and boost domestic pulses production.

• Aim – Achieve self-reliance in pulses production and strengthen MSP procurement.
• Launched in – 2025, also known as Dalhan Aatmanirbharta Mission.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• Objectives
• Self-Sufficiency - Increase pulses production to 350 lakh tonnes and cultivation area to 310 lakh hectares.
• MSP Assurance - Ensure 100% procurement of Tur, Urad, Masoor for four years.
• Import Reduction - Reduce dependency on imports and strengthen Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Key Features
• Seed Support – Distribution of 88 lakh free seed kits and 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds.
• High-Yield Varieties – Promotes climate-resilient, pest-resistant, high-yield pulse varieties.
• Infrastructure – Strengthen procurement centres and post-harvest storage.
• Cluster Approach – Use cluster-based cultivation, seed hubs, and FPOs for efficiency.
• Technology – Implement SATHI Portal for seed traceability and quality monitoring.
• e-Samriddhi, developed by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) to streamline the procurement process from farmer registration to final payment.
• Operational Strategy – States prepare five-year seed production plans, monitored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) (2025–31).
• Expand pulses into rice fallows and suitable lands, promote intercropping and diversification.
• Status of Pulses Production in India – India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses.
• Production increased from 192.6 lakh tonnes (2013–14) to 252.38 lakh tonnes (2024–25), reflecting a growth of around 31%.
• But, Imports still 47.38 lakh tonnes (2023–24).
• Major Producing States – Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka

References

1. PIB | Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission
2. PIB | India’s Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
3. TH | Pulses Mission