By Dipak Kurmi
India’s relationship with pulses tells a story of unfulfilled promises and growing dependency. Despite being the world’s largest producer, processor, and consumer of pulses, the country finds itself importing nearly one-third of its requirements. The Union Cabinet’s recent approval of the Mission for Aatmanirbhar in Pulses, a six-year programme running from 2025-26 to 2030-31 with a massive financial outlay of Rs 11,440 crore, represents yet another attempt to achieve self-sufficiency in these protein-rich legumes. But can this mission succeed where previous efforts have failed?
The numbers paint a concerning picture. In 2024-25, India imported a record 7 million tonnes of pulses, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the domestic production of 25.2 million tonnes. This represents a staggering 50 per cent increase over the previous year’s imports of 4.7 million tonnes. To put this in perspective, India’s import dependence has grown dramatically from an average of 2.6 million tonnes in 2021-22 and 2022-23 to 4.7 million tonnes in 2023-24, marking an 80 per cent jump, before reaching the current record high.
The root of the problem lies in a troubling trend that has unfolded over recent years. The area under pulse cultivation has been shrinking steadily, declining from a peak of 31.0 million hectares in 2021-22 to 28.9 million hectares the following year, further down to 27.5 million hectares in 2023-24, and stagnating at that level in 2024-25. This contraction in cultivated area has naturally led to declining production. From 27.3 million tonnes in 2021-22, output fell to 26.1 million tonnes in 2022-23 and further to 24.2 million tonnes in 2023-24. While there was a modest recovery to 25.2 million tonnes in 2024-25, this bounce-back barely masks the underlying structural problems.
The challenge is multifaceted. India’s agriculture faces the triple burden of land constraints, water shortage, and climate change, and pulse crops are no exception to these pressures. The planted area for pulses is nearing saturation, making it virtually impossible to add several million hectares of additional land for cultivation. While using rice fallows and intercropping might help add a couple of million hectares, this is simply not enough to meet the growing demand. The path forward must necessarily be vertical growth through improved yields, but here too, several constraining factors come into play. Cultivation on marginal lands, low levels of input usage, the absence of breakthrough seed technology, lack of irrigation facilities, and susceptibility to pest and disease attacks all combine to keep yields disappointingly low.
The mission’s comprehensive strategy covering research, seed systems, area expansion, procurement, and price stability acknowledges these challenges. However, achieving self-sufficiency will require more than good intentions. It demands a fundamental reimagining of how India approaches pulse cultivation, from farm to fork.
At the heart of any successful strategy must be a breakthrough in seed technology. This is not a quick fix but a long-term play that requires creating a supportive policy environment. Worryingly, seed companies have drastically cut their research and development budgets, representing a significant national loss. The way forward lies in the infusion of multiple technologies. A combination of information technology, agro-biotechnology, satellite technology for remote sensing, nuclear agricultural technology for developing mutant varieties, nanotechnology, drones, and digitisation of supply chains can collectively push yields higher.
Farmers need stewardship and guidance, particularly regarding market outlook. Agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras must be engaged more actively to guide Farmer Producer Organisations and grower groups on crucial aspects like input sourcing, agronomy, and prophylactic methods. Through comprehensive awareness, training, and education programmes, farmers can be converted into savvy traders who make informed decisions about what to grow and when to sell.
There is also much to learn from existing success stories. Studying farm practices, including input usage and agronomic methods, in high-yield areas and replicating these practices in low-yield regions could deliver significant dividends. This knowledge transfer need not be expensive but requires systematic documentation and dissemination.
The Minimum Support Price mechanism, as practised for years, has failed to deliver desired outcomes and needs a thorough review. Large price hikes alone will not drive production higher. Perhaps it is time to consider linking MSP with productivity metrics to incentivise better farming practices. Robust procurement infrastructure is critical, as is a proactive trade and tariff policy. Enlisting professionally managed private warehousing companies for procurement could improve efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses.
However, raising pulse production is not the end of the story but the beginning of a long road ahead. At 14-15 kg per person per year, India’s per capita availability of pulses falls far below the 20 kg that nutritionists recommend. According to NITI Aayog, Indians consume 45 grams of protein per day but need to consume 80 grams daily. Boosting pulse consumption would not only advance the nation’s nutrition security but also improve the marketability of crops. Making pulse consumption fashionable through innovative recipes and convenient formats could expand the market.
The demand for dal is closely tied to fine cereals. As a nation, Indians eat dal-roti or dal-chawal. Under welfare programmes, wheat and rice are distributed free, providing carbohydrates. But vulnerable consumers also need the protein that dals can provide to address widespread protein deficiency. Pulses, being an economical source of vegetable protein, should be included under welfare programmes to ensure nutritional security for the most vulnerable populations.
The processing and value addition sector presents opportunities galore. Protein-laden pulses lend themselves to preparing a wide variety of traditional Indian foods and snacks. Targeting specific segments such as children, working women, lactating mothers, senior citizens requiring geriatric food, and sportspersons needing protein energy bars could open new markets. The antiquated dal milling industry desperately needs modernisation. A Dal Mill Modernisation Fund could improve milling efficiency, enhance food safety and hygiene standards, and help digitise the supply chain, resulting in welfare gains for consumers.
Trade policy must remain pragmatic. Both export and import windows should stay open, with monitoring and regulation through tariffs rather than trade bans. Leveraging Free Trade Agreements to promote exports, both bulk and value-added, could generate foreign exchange while stabilising domestic prices. Currently, there is a troubling disconnect between wholesale and retail prices. Consumers pay higher prices, but the share of growers in the retail pie remains low. Policymakers must remedy this anomaly to ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their efforts.
The mission seeks to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, but realism suggests that results will only become visible after four or five years, around 2030, and only if implemented honestly and transparently. Much can happen in the next five years. The mission must remain flexible enough to adapt and mitigate challenges while remaining resilient against future shocks.
India started importing pulses in the early 1980s to augment domestic supplies and contain price rises. On multiple occasions in recent years, policymakers have talked about becoming Aatmanirbhar in pulses. Yet self-sufficiency has remained elusive, not for want of intention but for lack of comprehensive strategy. Rather than improving, the situation has worsened. The new mission represents an opportunity to break this cycle, but only if it addresses the structural issues that have plagued pulse cultivation for decades. The journey to self-sufficiency will be long and challenging, but with the right mix of technology, policy support, and market development, it is not impossible.
(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
