New Delhi, March 17: The Union Cabinet has approved a centrally sponsored scheme titled Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses aimed at increasing domestic production of pulses and achieving self-sufficiency in the sector. The mission will be implemented over a six-year period from 2025–26 to 2030–31 with a total financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore.
The mission focuses on strengthening the pulses value chain by expanding cultivation, promoting improved seed distribution, and developing post-harvest infrastructure across the country.
Processing Units to Strengthen Post-Harvest Infrastructure
Under the post-harvest infrastructure component of the mission, the government has approved the establishment of 1,000 processing units (dal mills) during the mission period. In the first phase, a target of 528 processing units has been allocated to various states and Union Territories.
Among the states, Uttar Pradesh has received the highest allocation with 56 units, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 55, Bihar with 37, Maharashtra with 34, and Karnataka and Rajasthan with 30 units each. Other states such as Gujarat, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh have also been allotted processing units to strengthen local processing capacity.
Free Seed Kits to Expand Pulses Cultivation
To expand pulses cultivation, particularly in rice fallow areas and other diversifiable agricultural regions, the mission provides support through the distribution of free seed kits to farmers.
Under the programme, a total of 87.5 lakh seed kits are targeted for distribution over the six-year period based on the Annual Action Plans submitted by states and Union Territories. For the Rabi season of 2025–26, around 10.36 lakh seed kits have been allocated to states.
The tentative targets for seed kit distribution in the coming years include:
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2026–27: 15 lakh kits
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2027–28: 16.25 lakh kits
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2028–29: 17.50 lakh kits
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2029–30: 13.75 lakh kits
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2030–31: 12.5 lakh kits
Focus Districts Identified for Pulses Clusters
To accelerate the mission’s implementation, 489 districts across the country have been identified as focused districts for developing pulses clusters. The list of districts may be modified in the future based on local requirements and evolving agricultural conditions.
Area Under Pulses to Expand by 35 Lakh Hectares
As part of the mission’s long-term strategy, the area under pulses cultivation is projected to increase by 35 lakh hectares by 2030–31. This includes 24.5 lakh hectares in traditional pulses-growing regions and 10.5 lakh hectares in non-traditional areas where pulses cultivation will be promoted.
The mission is expected to significantly enhance domestic pulses production, reduce dependence on imports, and improve farmers’ incomes through improved productivity and better post-harvest infrastructure.
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