India’s Pulses Sector: Big Moves Towards Self-Reliance and Growing Production
India, the world’s biggest producer and consumer of pulses, is set to strengthen its pulse farming industry. A new report from NITI Aayog highlights the importance and future potential of pulses in India’s agriculture and economy.
The good news is that pulse production is expected to rise steadily. Pulses like tur, urad, and masoor are key ingredients in Indian kitchens. They are affordable, eco-friendly sources of plant-based protein packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients help improve health in both humans and animals.
Pulses are more than just food—they are vital for over five crore (50 million) farmers and their families, supporting rural livelihoods. The government’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) includes a six-year “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses,” announced in the 2025-26 Union Budget. This mission emphasizes increasing the cultivation of pulses and making India self-sufficient.
To manage the supply and stabilize prices, the government maintains a buffer stock of key pulses such as tur, urad, chana, moong, and masur. This helps ensure steady availability and safeguard farmers and consumers from price swings. As of April 1, the government held around 15.75 lakh metric tonnes of pulse stock and has allowed duty-free imports of tur and urad until March 2026 to boost supplies.
Despite improvements, India still faces challenges. In 2023-24, pulse production was about 50 lakh tonnes short of the target, with actual output around 242 lakh tonnes against a planned 292 lakh tonnes. To fill the gap, India imported nearly 47.4 lakh tonnes of pulses and exported about 6 lakh tonnes in the last year.
Farming acreage has increased slightly, with about 1.14 lakh hectares more than previous seasons. However, overall production dipped in 2022-23 due to adverse weather, reducing output by around 12.44 lakh tonnes compared to the year before. Still, exports from India have grown significantly, jumping from 3.87 lakh tonnes to 7.63 lakh tonnes in a year.
The government supports pulse farmers through the Minimum Support Price (MSP), ensuring they get a fair price. During the last season, over 2.46 lakh tonnes of tur were purchased from farmers under MSP.
NITI Aayog’s recent survey involved 885 farmers from key pulse-growing states including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. The study offers over a dozen recommendations to boost production, improve farming practices, and ensure sustainability. Ideas include diversifying crops, adopting advanced technologies, distributing high-quality seeds, and creating “One Block-One Seed Village” hubs managed by Farmer Producer Organizations.
Climate change challenges and the need for smarter farming through data-driven decision systems are also emphasized to help the pulse sector thrive and make India more self-reliant in pulses.
Overall, these initiatives and focus on innovation are paving the way for a stronger, more secure pulse supply for India, supporting farmers, consumers, and the nation’s goal of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
