NITI Aayog recommends multiple strategies to enhance pulses production

Focusing on the nutritional security and the role of pulses in it in the country, the NITI Aayog has recommended tailored agricultural strategies to address the specific constraints faced by each State and its districts to ensure balanced and sustainable growth in national pulses production. In a report, “Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta,” released here on Thursday (September 4, 2025), the policy think tank laid out a detailed road map for expanding pulses cultivation in the country.

Commenting on the progress achieved in expanding the cultivation of pulses and reducing the dependency on import of pulses, NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand said in this pace, the country would attain self-sufficiency in pulses within 10 years. India is the world’s largest producer, consumer and importer of pulses. “The role of pulses in ensuring food security, nutritional well-being, and sustainable agriculture with significant environmental benefits is therefore, very critical,” the NITI Aayog’s report said.

The report said with nearly 80% of production dependent on rain-fed areas and sustaining the livelihoods of over five crore farmers and their families, the pulses sector was vital to rural economies. “Following a decline in production to 16.35 million tonnes (MT) in 2015–16, which necessitated 6 MT of imports, concerted interventions by the Government of India spurred remarkable progress. By 2022–23, production rose by 59.4% to 26.06 MT, accompanied by a 38% increase in productivity, reducing import dependence from 29% to 10.4%,” the report said, adding that the “Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses”, a six-year focused initiative targeting pigeonpea, black gram, and lentil was announced in the budget to further strengthen India’s self-reliance.

The report has noted that the country’s diverse agro-climatic conditions support the cultivation of 12 pulse crops across kharif, rabi, and summer seasons. “Production is regionally concentrated, with Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan contributing about 55%, and the top 10 States accounting for over 91% of national output. Addressing these gaps is vital for reducing import dependency, ensuring nutritional security, and advancing the country’s goal towards Atmanirbharta in pulses,” it said. The report projects pulse production to rise steadily, with domestic supply estimated to reach 30.59 MT by 2030 and 45.79 MT by 2047.

The recommendations of the report include area retention and diversification through targeted crop-wise clustering, adoption of customised technologies for varied agro-ecological sub-regions, emphasis on high-quality seed distribution and treatment kits specially focusing on 111 high-potential districts contributing 75% of national output, and “One Block–One Seed Village” cluster-based hubs facilitated by farmer producer organisations.