The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹11,440 crore “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses” to make India self-sufficient in pulse production between 2025-26 and 2030-31. Under this plan, the area under pulses cultivation will be expanded to 310 lakh hectares from current levels, and yield is targeted to increase from 881 kg per hectare to 1,130 kg per hectare — indicating a shift beyond reliance on MSP alone to improve productivity and optimise land use. The mission also includes assured procurement, establishing processing units, and promoting high-yielding seeds for sustainable growth.
As part of efforts to strengthen India’s pulses sector, the government has outlined plans to expand pulses acreage and boost yields. The initiative aims to increase production to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31 while enhancing productivity through better seed quality, irrigation support and targeted extension services. By using fallow land and improving soil health, the mission focuses on efficient land use and reduced import dependence.
Government advisory bodies have urged policymakers to look beyond MSP hikes and strengthen non-price interventions like soil and water conservation, crop diversification and productivity-enhancing schemes. These recommendations highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to support farmers — including programmers under the Pulses Mission to enhance yields and optimize land use — rather than depending solely on minimum support price mechanisms.
