Understanding the Role of Pulses in Achieving Self-Reliance in India

FAQs on Pulses in India

1. What are pulses and why are they important?

Pulses are leguminous crops harvested for their dry seeds. They encompass a variety of legumes, including chickpeas, pigeon peas (tur/arhar), lentils (masoor), urad (black gram), mung (green gram), and others. Pulses are a vital source of protein, particularly in vegetarian diets, and contribute to enhancing soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.

2. Why does India need to be self-reliant in pulses?

India stands as the largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses globally. The annual production of pulses hovers around 26–27 million tonnes, while the domestic demand exceeds 30 million tonnes. This gap necessitates imports, which can vary with global market conditions, leading to price instability and posing risks to nutrition security.

3. Which pulses are mostly imported and in what quantity?

India primarily imports chickpeas (kabuli chana), pigeon peas, urad, and lentils. In the fiscal year 2023-24, India imported approximately 2–3 million tonnes of pulses to bridge the domestic shortfall, particularly during drought conditions.

4. How does the Atmanirbharata mission aim to address the shortfall and become self-reliant in a decade?

• Expanding the cultivation area under pulses, especially in rice fallows and intercropping systems.
• Promoting high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties.
• Providing improved irrigation and input support.
• Ensuring procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) to incentivize farmers.
• Strengthening processing, storage, and marketing infrastructure.

5. What specific steps has the government taken?

• Launch of the National Food Security Mission–Pulses (NFSM-Pulses) to enhance production.
• Encouraging pulse cultivation in states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Ensuring MSP coverage and procurement through NAFED.
• Offering subsidies on certified seeds and micro-irrigation systems.

6. What challenges remain in making India self-sufficient in pulses?

• Dependence on rain-fed areas with limited irrigation facilities.
• Pest attacks and vulnerabilities related to climate change.
• Insufficient processing and marketing support in pulse-producing regions.