The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is executing a six-year initiative called the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses to make India fully self-sufficient in pulse production by 2030-31. Launched in October 2025 and backed by a financial allocation of ₹11,440 crore, the Mission targets farmers, agricultural businesses and consumers dependent on pulses for nutrition and income.
Key facts
- Financial allocation: ₹11,440 crore over 2025-26 to 2030-31
- Production target for 2030-31: 350 lakh tonnes
- Target yield: 1,130 kg per hectare
- Cultivation area target: 310 lakh hectares by 2030-31 (expand by 35 lakh hectares)
- Free seed kits to be distributed: 87.5 lakh over six years
- Certified seeds to be distributed: 126 lakh quintals
- Processing units (dal mills) planned: 1,000
- Districts covered under cluster approach: 489
- Current pulse production (2025-26): 274.09 lakh tonnes, up from 256.83 lakh tonnes in 2024-25
- Pulse cultivation area (2025-26): 286.46 lakh hectares, up from 277.20 lakh hectares in 2024-25
- MSP for Urad 2026-27: ₹8,200 per quintal (increased from ₹7,400)
- MSP for Tur 2026-27: ₹8,450 per quintal (increased from ₹7,550)
- MSP for Masur 2026-27: ₹7,000 per quintal (increased from ₹6,700)
- Pulses imports: Declined by 31.52% in 2025-26 to ₹31,793.59 crore
- Pulses exports: Rose by 13.40% to USD 969.53 million in 2025-26
What the Mission seeks to achieve
India produces more pulses than any other country globally, but still imports significant quantities to meet domestic demand. Pulses contain 20-25% protein, making them a critical source of nutrition. The Mission aims to reduce this import dependence entirely while boosting farmer incomes through higher procurement prices and better infrastructure.
The government is focusing production efforts on three key pulses: Tur (arhar), Urad and Masur (lentil). These crops will be grown across 489 districts grouped into clusters to intensify production. Major pulse-growing states include Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
Price support and guaranteed procurement
To encourage farmers to grow more pulses, the government has substantially raised Minimum Support Prices (MSP). For 2026-27, MSP for Urad increased by ₹800 per quintal (10.81%), for Tur by ₹900 per quintal (11.92%), and for Masur by ₹300 per quintal (4.48%). These higher guaranteed prices protect farmers from market volatility and ensure fair returns on investment.
From 2025-26 to 2028-29, the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) are authorised to procure 100% of Tur, Masur and Urad from willing and registered farmers. As of June 2026, NCCF has already procured 31.41 lakh tonnes of pulses across nine states, paying out ₹21,648 crore in MSP payments to 14.86 lakh farmers.
Infrastructure and seed distribution
The Mission plans to establish 1,000 pulse processing units (dal mills) to convert raw pulses into packaged products, adding value and creating employment. In the first phase, 528 units have been allocated to states and union territories. Already, 23 processing units have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (food processing scheme), with 18 completed.
Climate change poses a risk to pulse cultivation. The Mission addresses this by promoting climate-resilient seeds and distributing improved seeds at no cost. Over six years, the government will distribute 87.5 lakh free seed kits (9.25 lakh already distributed in Rabi 2025-26) and 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds to encourage adoption of high-yielding varieties.
Digital tracking and real-time monitoring
The government uses technology to oversee implementation across all levels. A three-tier steering committee network monitors progress at national, state and district levels. The Krishi Mapper application geo-tags land and tracks seed variety demonstrations in real time. The Seed Authentication, Traceability and Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal automates the seed supply chain from production to certification to sale, ensuring quality control. Digital platforms like E-Samriddhi and Vistaar enable direct payments to farmers and provide real-time market data for price stability.
What this means for you
For pulse farmers: Higher MSP ensures better returns. Guaranteed procurement through NCCF and NAFED eliminates market risk. Free seeds and processing infrastructure expansion create opportunities to adopt improved varieties and add value to output.
For consumers: Reduced import dependence should help stabilise domestic pulse prices. Greater domestic production improves availability and affordability of protein-rich food.
For rural employment: New dal mills and agricultural infrastructure projects create jobs in processing and value addition.
Early results and next steps
The Mission has already shown momentum. Pulse production rose from 256.83 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 to 274.09 lakh tonnes in 2025-26. Imports fell sharply by 31.52% in 2025-26, saving foreign exchange. Exports grew 13.40% to USD 969.53 million. These trends suggest India is moving toward its 2030-31 target of 350 lakh tonnes and full self-sufficiency.