NITI Aayog Unveils Roadmap to Boost Atmanirbhar Bharat in Pulses

New Delhi, Sep 05 NITI Aayog’s report on ‘Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta’ highlights the significance of India’s pulse sector, positioning India as the world’s largest producer and consumer.

Pulses are vital for the Indian diet, providing an affordable source of plant-based protein, essential micronutrients, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while also supporting the livelihoods of over five crore farmers and contributing to rural economies.

The report aligns with the vision of ‘Atmanirbharta’ and the Union Budget 2025-26’s launch of a six-year ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’, with a specific focus on Tur, Urad, and Masoor.

To manage exigencies like crop shortfalls and price volatility, the government maintains a buffer stock of major pulses such as Tur, Urad, Chana, Moong, and Masur under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) for market interventions.

As of April 1, the government held approximately 15.75 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of pulse stock. Furthermore, duty-free imports of Tur and Urad have been permitted until March 31, 2026, to augment domestic availability and control price fluctuations.

Pulse production has seen an increase, rising from 198 LMT in 2013-14 to 242.46 LMT in 2023-24. However, the actual production in 2023-24 fell about 50.04 LMT short of the target, necessitating imports of 47.39 LMT, while exports were around 6 LMT. For 2024-25, production is projected at 252.38 LMT against a target of 299 LMT.

Despite an increase in acreage in 2024-25, production in 2023-24 decreased by 18.12 LMT compared to the previous year. Pulses are procured under the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP), with 2.46 LMT of Tur purchased in the 2024-25 marketing season as of March 25.

The NITI Aayog report, based on a survey of 885 farmers in key pulse-producing states, offers over a dozen recommendations. These include area retention and diversification through targeted crop-wise clustering, the adoption of customized technologies for specific agro-ecological sub-regions, enhanced distribution of high-quality seeds and treatment kits focusing on 111 high-potential districts, and the establishment of “One Block-One Seed Village” hubs facilitated by Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs).

Proactive climate adaptation measures and data-led transformation through monitoring and decision-support systems are identified as crucial for sector transformation and achieving Atmanirbharta.