In News:

• India has launched an ambitious Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025–26 to 2030–31),signalling a major push toward self-sufficiency in pulses and farmer-centric agricultural transformation.
• Announced during a special programme at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), the Mission carries an outlay of ?11,440 crore and aims to meet India’s pulses requirement entirely through domestic production by December 2027.
• Pulses hold strategic importance for India as they ensure nutritional security, enrich soil through nitrogen fixation, support rural livelihoods, and reduce import bills. Despite being the world’s largest producer and consumer, India's demand-supply gap has led to significant imports—47.38 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. The Mission seeks to eliminate this dependence and strengthen farmer income security.

Key Targets (by 2030–31)

• Total production:350 lakh tonnes
• Cultivation area:310 lakh hectares (including 35 lakh ha rice fallows)
• Yield target:1,130 kg/ha
• Beneficiaries: Nearly 2 crore farmers
• Import elimination by Dec 2027

Core Components of the Mission

Seed & Technology Push

• 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds
• 88 lakh free seed kits
• Deployment of high-yielding, pest-resistant, climate-resilient varieties
• Launch of SATHI Portal (Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory) for seed lifecycle transparency

Assured MSP & Farmer Security

• 100% procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor for four years
• Procurement support via NAFED & NCCF
• Linked to PM-AASHA for guaranteed price support and reduced market risk

Cluster-Based Integrated Approach

• "One Block – One Seed Village" model
• FPO-driven clusters to streamline seed production & marketing
• Mechanization, soil health management, and balanced fertilization
• Agronomy support from ICAR, KVKs & state agriculture departments

Value Chain Strengthening

• 1,000 processing & packaging unitsincentive: up to ?25 lakh per unit
• Focus on storage, processing, branding, and market linkages

Social and Nutrition Focus

• Inclusion of pulses in PDS, ICDS, Mid-Day Meal schemes
• Strengthening food-based welfare with protein security

NITI Aayog Recommendations Integrated

• Expansion into rice fallows
• Cluster-based cultivation & seed hubs
• “One Block–One Seed Village”
• Data-driven monitoring through SATHI
• Public procurement strengthening at grassroots
• Climate-resilient, short-duration pest-resistant varieties

Strategic Significance

• Supports Vision 2047&Viksit Bharat
• Strengthens food sovereignty & rural employment
• Saves foreign exchange by cutting pulse imports
• Enhances soil fertility & climate resilience
• Boosts farmer incomes and reduces agrarian vulnerability