Government of India is steadily advancing its goal of self-reliance in pulses through systematic production, procurement, and processing initiatives. Central nodal agencies such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) regularly monitor procurement progress and ensure that farmers receive remunerative prices. These agencies purchase pulses like tur, urad, and masoor from registered farmers based on their offers, promoting both farmer welfare and national pulse self-sufficiency.
Union Cabinet approved the 'Pulses Self-Reliance Mission' on 1st October 2025, allocating a total budget of ₹11,440 crore over a six-year period from 2025–26 to 2030–31. The mission aims to boost production of pulses such as tur, urad, and masoor, enhance the availability of climate-resilient seeds for farmers, and expand the area under pulse cultivation.
Under this mission, NAFED and NCCF will support procurement of tur, urad, and masoor over the next four years in accordance with the Price Support Scheme (PSS) guidelines of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).
To improve post-harvest management, financial assistance will be provided for the construction of new pulse processing and packaging units. Funding covers up to 33% of the project cost or a maximum of ₹25 lakh per unit, whichever is lower. The mission aims to establish 1,000 such processing units between 2025–26 and 2030–31.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), 23 pulse processing units have been approved for Food Processing and Preservation Capacity Creation and Expansion (CEFPPC), of which 18 projects have been completed. The total project cost amounts to ₹315.88 crore, with ₹74.39 crore allocated as grants/subsidies to create a processing capacity of 4.44 lakh metric tons per year.
These coordinated efforts are expected to strengthen India’s pulse production, ensure better prices for farmers, and create a robust processing infrastructure to achieve long-term self-reliance in pulses.
FAQs:
1. What is the Pulses Self-Reliance Mission?
The Pulses Self-Reliance Mission is a government program launched in October 2025 to increase pulse production and reduce dependence on imports.
2. What is the total budget of the Pulses Self-Reliance Mission?
The government has allocated ₹11,440 crore for the mission for the period 2025–26 to 2030–31.
3. Which pulses are included in the mission?
The mission mainly focuses on tur, urad, and masoor pulses.
4. Which agencies procure pulses from farmers?
Government agencies such as NAFED and NCCF procure pulses from registered farmers under support schemes.
5. How will the mission help farmers?
The mission will improve procurement, provide better prices, expand cultivation areas, and strengthen pulse processing infrastructure.
