The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a comprehensive six-year program called the "Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses" to boost domestic pulse production and achieve self-sufficiency by 2030-31. The mission, with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore, will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2030-31.

The program aims to increase pulse production to 350 lakh tonnes by expanding the area under cultivation to 310 lakh hectares and raising yields to 1,130 kg per hectare. This initiative seeks to reduce India's reliance on imports, meet the increasing domestic demand for pulses, enhance the income of farmers, and generate employment opportunities.

India is the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses, which hold a vital position in the country's cropping systems and diets. However, domestic production has not kept pace with rising consumption, leading to a 15–20% increase in pulse imports. The "Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses" was announced in the FY 2025-26 Budget to address this import dependency and maximize domestic production.

The mission will adopt a comprehensive strategy encompassing research, seed systems, area expansion, procurement, and price stability. Key components of the mission include:

• Development and dissemination of high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient pulse varieties: Multi-location trials will be conducted in major pulse-growing states to ensure regional suitability.
• Ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds: States will prepare five-year rolling seed production plans. 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds will be distributed to farmers, covering 370 lakh hectares by 2030-31.
• Expanding the area under pulse cultivation: The mission seeks to add 35 lakh hectares by targeting rice fallow areas and other diversifiable lands, promoting intercropping and crop diversification. 88 lakh free seed kits will be provided to farmers for this purpose.
• Improving post-harvest infrastructure: The mission plans to establish 1,000 processing units to reduce post-harvest losses.
• Ensuring price stability: The government will monitor global pulse prices and ensure 100% procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) during the next 4 years.
• Capacity building: Structured training programs will be conducted for farmers and seed growers to promote sustainable techniques and modern technologies.

NITI Aayog has also proposed a multifaceted strategy focusing on value addition and reducing post-harvest losses in pulses, expanding the area under pulse cultivation and improving productivity to help India reduce pulses import and become self-sufficient. According to NITI Aayog's report, effective implementation of these strategies can significantly boost domestic pulse production, potentially increasing total pulse production by 20.10 MT.

The mission is expected to benefit approximately 2 crore farmers through improved seeds, post-harvest infrastructure, and assured procurement. It is also expected to conserve foreign exchange, improve soil health, and promote climate-resilient farming practices.