The Union Cabinet has approved a centrally sponsored scheme titled Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses with a total financial outlay of 11440 crore rupees to achieve self sufficiency in pulses production by 2030 31, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary informed the Lok Sabha.
The mission, approved on October 1, 2025, will be implemented over a six year period from 2025 26 to 2030 31 and aims to significantly enhance domestic production, reduce import dependence and strengthen the pulses value chain across the country.
A major component of the mission focuses on post harvest infrastructure. A total of 1000 processing units, primarily dal mills, have been approved for establishment during the mission period. In the first phase, 528 processing units have been allocated across States and Union Territories to strengthen local processing capacity and reduce post harvest losses.
Uttar Pradesh has been assigned the highest number of 56 processing units, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 55 units. Maharashtra has been allotted 34 units, Karnataka and Rajasthan 30 units each, Gujarat 28 units, Assam 25 units and Bihar 37 units. Several smaller states and Union Territories including Goa Haryana Himachal Pradesh Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh Kerala Punjab Puducherry Sikkim and others have been allocated five units each, ensuring balanced regional development.
To expand the area under pulses cultivation, particularly in rice fallow and other diversifiable lands, the mission includes large scale distribution of free seed kits to farmers. A total of 87.5 lakh seed kits are planned to be distributed over six years based on Annual Action Plans submitted by States and Union Territories.
For the ongoing Rabi 2025 26 season, 10.36 lakh seed kits have been allocated. Madhya Pradesh leads with 2,22,700 seed kits, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 2,11,000 kits and Rajasthan with 1,28,700 kits. Andhra Pradesh has been allocated 96,200 kits, Maharashtra 95,000 kits and Tamil Nadu 82,500 kits. Other states including Chhattisgarh Assam Odisha Haryana Punjab Telangana and Tripura have also received allocations based on their cultivation potential.
The mission outlines progressive annual targets for seed kit distribution, with 15 lakh kits planned for 2026 27, increasing to 16.25 lakh in 2027 28, 17.50 lakh in 2028 29, followed by 13.75 lakh in 2029 30 and 12.5 lakh in 2030 31, ensuring sustained expansion of pulses cultivation.
A total of 489 districts across the country have been identified as focus districts for cluster based interventions under the mission. These districts span major agricultural states including Uttar Pradesh with 56 districts, Madhya Pradesh with 55, Maharashtra with 34, Rajasthan with 30, Karnataka with 30, Gujarat with 28 and Bihar with 37 districts. The list is designed to be dynamic and may be revised based on local requirements and evolving agricultural conditions.
The mission also sets an ambitious target of expanding the total area under pulses cultivation by 35 lakh hectares by 2030 31. Of this, 24.5 lakh hectares will be added in traditional pulses growing regions, while 10.5 lakh hectares will come from non traditional areas, diversifying cropping patterns and improving land utilisation.
State wise projections indicate substantial growth in major producing regions. Rajasthan is expected to expand its pulses area from 54.02 lakh hectares in 2024 25 to 60.66 lakh hectares by 2030 31. Maharashtra is projected to increase from 49.79 lakh hectares to 55.91 lakh hectares, while Madhya Pradesh is expected to rise from 45.55 lakh hectares to 51.15 lakh hectares over the same period.
Karnataka is projected to expand from 34.07 lakh hectares to 38.26 lakh hectares, while Uttar Pradesh is expected to increase from 21.77 lakh hectares to 24.45 lakh hectares. Gujarat’s pulses area is projected to grow from 13.16 lakh hectares to 14.78 lakh hectares, reflecting steady expansion across key states.
At the national level, the total area under pulses cultivation is projected to increase from 276 lakh hectares in 2024 25 to 310 lakh hectares by 2030 31, indicating a significant boost in production potential.
The mission adopts a comprehensive approach combining infrastructure development, input support, cluster based interventions and area expansion to strengthen the pulses ecosystem. By promoting domestic production and improving processing capacity, the initiative is expected to enhance farmers income, stabilise prices and ensure nutritional security.
Bhagirath Choudhary stated that the scheme represents a strategic step towards achieving long term self reliance in pulses production while supporting farmers through improved technology, inputs and market linkages.
