SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
Institutions: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
The Union Cabinet has cleared the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025-26 to 2030-31) with an outlay of ₹11,440 crore, targeting an increase in production from 242 lakh tonnes (2024-25) to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31. The programme provides a 100% procurement guarantee for tur, urad, and masoor over the next four years, expanded distribution of certified seeds (126 lakh quintals across 370 lakh ha), and free seed kits for 88 lakh farmers. Plans also include 1,000 new pulse processing units and a cluster-based value chain approach.
Alongside, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) hikes for Rabi crops in the 2026-27 season. Key increases include safflower (+₹600/quintal), lentil (+₹300), gram (+₹225), wheat (+₹160), and mustard/rapeseed (+₹150). The MSP for wheat is set at ₹2,425 per quintal, ensuring returns of 50–101% over cost of production depending on the crop.
Together, the Pulses Mission and MSP revisions mark a significant push toward import substitution, farmer income security, and crop diversification. The dual strategy strengthens India’s nutrition security (protein through pulses) while sustaining farm incomes against global market volatility. It aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat goals by reducing reliance on pulse imports, which currently exceed 30 lakh tonnes annually.
What is the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses? → A six-year Cabinet-approved programme (2025-26 to 2030-31) with an outlay of ₹11,440 crore to raise India’s annual pulse production from ~242 lakh tonnes to 350 lakh tonnes. It supports farmers through free seed kits, expanded certified seed distribution, new processing units, and cluster-based value chains — aiming to cut import dependence and strengthen nutritional security.
What is a 100% procurement guarantee? → A government assurance that all produce of specific crops (tur, urad, masoor) will be purchased at the declared MSP for a fixed period (four years in this case). It removes the risk of farmers being left without buyers, ensures stable incomes, and signals strong state commitment to boosting targeted crop production.
What is MSP? → The Minimum Support Price is the government-declared rate at which agencies procure crops from farmers, providing a price safety net and encouraging production of targeted crops.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: Can India’s procurement, storage, and processing systems scale fast enough to match the expanded production targets under the Pulses Mission while ensuring MSP benefits reach smallholders equitably?
Follow the full news here: PIB PRID 2173549 | PIB PRID 2173547 | PIB PRID 2173566