India is expanding efforts to achieve self-reliance in pulses through better seeds, assured procurement, increased cultivation and modern processing infrastructure. Launched on October 11, 2025, the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses has an allocation of ₹11,440 crore for 2025–26 to 2030–31.
The mission targets annual production of nearly 350 lakh tonnes by 2030–31, with average productivity reaching 1,130 kg per hectare.
The mission prioritises tur, urad and masoor, with climate-resilient varieties and improved seed quality intended to raise farm productivity.
Its six-year targets include distributing 87.5 lakh free seed kits and 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds. It also aims to expand pulse cultivation by 35 lakh hectares, reaching 310 lakh hectares.
India produced 274.09 lakh tonnes of pulses in 2025–26, up from 256.83 lakh tonnes in the previous year, according to the third advance estimates. Cultivated area increased to 286.46 lakh hectares, while productivity rose to 957 kg per hectare.
Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) have increased for major pulses. For 2026–27, the MSP for urad stands at ₹8,200 per quintal, tur at ₹8,450 and masoor at ₹7,000.
The National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and NAFED have been authorised to procure 100% of tur, masoor and urad offered by willing, registered farmers for four years, from 2025–26 to 2028–29.
The supplied report cites an NCCF dashboard snapshot dated June 17, 2026, showing procurement of 10.55 lakh tonnes across nine states and direct MSP payments of ₹7,047 crore.
The mission also aims to establish 1,000 pulse processing units, commonly known as dal mills. In the first phase, 528 units have been allocated to states and Union Territories.
Separately, 23 processing units have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, with 18 projects reported as completed.
Greater processing capacity can help connect farmers with local markets and strengthen the domestic pulse supply chain.
Digital platforms are being used to improve transparency and implementation. Krishi Mapper supports land geo-tagging and real-time tracking of seed demonstrations and yields.
The SATHI portal tracks seeds through production, certification and sale. AgriStack and the Digital Crop Survey support farmer identification, verified plot surveys and harvest forecasting, while e-Samriddhi facilitates direct payments.
India’s pulse imports declined in value from ₹46,427.60 crore in 2024–25 to ₹31,793.59 crore in 2025–26, according to the supplied report. Pulse exports increased from $855 million to $969.53 million over the same period.
Pulses also play an important nutritional role, providing plant-based protein and supporting food security and farm livelihoods.
