NITI Aayog charts out roadmap for Atmanirbhar Bharat in pulses

September 5, 2025

New Delhi: NITI Aayog’s Thursday report, Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta, examines the current state of India’s pulses sector and its growth potential. The report is particularly significant as pulses play a vital role in ensuring food security and rural livelihoods.

India’s Pulses: Largest Producer and Consumer

India remains the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses. These crops are a key source of plant-based protein, rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, making them essential for both human and animal health. They also provide a cost-effective and sustainable dietary option for millions.

The sector supports over five crore farmers and their families, contributing significantly to rural economies. The Union Budget 2025-26 announced a six-year Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, focusing on Tur, Urad, and Masoor.

Government Measures: Buffer Stocks and Imports

To tackle issues like crop shortfalls and price volatility, the government maintains buffer stocks of major pulses — Tur, Urad, Chana, Moong, and Masur — under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF). As of April 1, stocks stood at 15.75 LMT.

To improve domestic availability and stabilise prices, duty-free imports of Tur and Urad have been permitted until March 31, 2026. According to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, production rose from 198 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 242.46 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, although the latter was still 50.04 LMT below target. In 2023-24, India imported 47.39 LMT of pulses, while exports reached 6 LMT.

Production Trends and Acreage Data

The government’s third advance estimates for 2024-25 place production at 252.38 LMT, compared to the target of 299 LMT. Acreage, as of August 15, increased by 1.14 lakh hectares over last year’s 108.39 lakh hectares. However, production in 2023-24 was down by 18.12 LMT compared to 2022-23.

While 2022-23 saw a production drop of 12.44 LMT over the previous year, imports actually fell by about 2 LMT, and exports rose from 3.87 LMT in 2021-22 to 7.63 LMT. Pulses are procured at the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP), with 2.46 LMT of Tur purchased during the 2024-25 marketing season up to March 25.

Recommendations to Strengthen the Sector

NITI Aayog’s study, based on a survey of 885 farmers in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, suggests over a dozen strategies to boost production and sustainability.

Key recommendations include:

• Crop-wise clustering for area retention and diversification
• Adoption of customised technologies for different agro-ecological zones
• Distribution of high-quality seeds and treatment kits in 111 high-potential districts producing 75% of national output
• Establishment of “One Block–One Seed Village” hubs through Farmers Producers Organisations

The report also underscores the need for proactive climate adaptation and data-driven monitoring systems to transform the sector and achieve self-reliance.