India’s Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses

Syllabus:

GS-3:

Buffer Stocks & Food Security, Direct & Indirect Farm Subsidies

Focus:

  • The 2024-25 Union Budget launched a six-year Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses with a focus on tur/arhar (pigeon pea), urad (black gram), and masoor (red lentil).
  • The government has allocated Rs 1,000 crore towards this scheme to promote MSP-based procurement and strengthen post-harvest warehousing solutions.
  • This initiative comes at a time when India’s pulses imports are set to hit a record high.

India’s Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses

Understanding Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses:

Budget Allocation & Objectives:

  • Budget Allocation: ₹1,000 crore allocated in the 2024-25 Union Budget.
  • Objectives:
  • Achieve self-reliance in pulses production by 2029.
  • Provide MSP-based procurement and post-harvest warehousing solutions.
  • Reduce dependence on imports of pulses.
  • Focus on crops like tur/arhar (pigeon pea), urad (black gram), and masoor (red lentil).

Key Features of the Mission:

  • MSP-Based Procurement:
  • Implemented by NAFED and NCCF to procure pulses from registered farmers.
  • Aims to ensure fair prices for farmers and stabilize market prices.
  • Post-Harvest Warehousing:
  • Emphasis on reducing post-harvest losses and improving storage infrastructure.

Targeted Crops:

  • Tur/Arhar (Pigeon Pea):
  • Traditional crop duration: 250-270 days, now reduced to 150-180 days.
  • Yields reduced from 20 quintals/hectare to 15-16 quintals/hectare.
  • Urad (Black Gram):
  • Warm and humid conditions, grown primarily during the kharif season.
  • Requires 600-1000mm rainfall annually.
  • Masoor (Red Lentil):
  • Thrives in cold climates, tolerates frost, and needs 18-30°C during growth.
  •  Rich in protein, iron, and fiber, making it highly nutritious.

Measures Taken by the Government:

  • National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Focus on expanding areas and enhancing productivity.
  • ICAR Research: Development of high-yield varieties in collaboration with state agricultural universities.
  • PM-AASHA Scheme: Ensures MSP for pulses through Price Support Scheme (PSS) and other mechanisms.
  • ISOPOM Scheme: Launched in 14 major pulse-growing states to boost production.
  • Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana: Supports state-specific pulse development programs.

Need for the Mission:

Import Surge and Reversal of Aatmanirbharta

  • India’s pulses imports during April-November 2024 were valued at $3.28 billion, a 63% increase compared to 2023.
  • Import volumes are projected to reach $5.9 billion by the fiscal year-end, surpassing the previous high of $4.24 billion in 2016-17.
  • India had achieved near aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) between 2018-2023, with declining imports and increased domestic production.

Production Success Stories

  • Domestic pulses production rose from 55 lakh tonnes (lt) in 2013-14 to 273.02 lt in 2021-22, primarily due to success with chana (chickpea) and moong (green gram).
  • Adoption of short-duration crop varieties played a key role in this success.

Key Features of the Mission:

Focus Areas

  • The mission will prioritize three key pulses: tur/arhar, urad, and masoor.
  • Agencies such as NAFED and NCCF will procure pulses directly from farmers.

Post-Harvest Support

  • The scheme includes provisions for warehousing solutions to stabilize prices and reduce post-harvest losses.

Challenges to Achieving Self-Reliance in Pulses:

Crop-Specific Challenges

  • Tur/arhar: Traditional varieties require 250-270 days for maturity, with yields around 20 quintals per hectare.
    • Breeding advancements have reduced crop duration to 150-180 days, but yields remain low at 15-16 quintals per hectare.
    • Cultivation is limited to rainfed regions like Maharashtra and Karnataka.
  • Need for Hybrid Varieties: Development of short-duration hybrids with higher yields (18-20 quintals/hectare) is essential.

Policy Ambiguity

  • Despite promoting pulses cultivation, the government’s decision to allow duty-free imports until March 2026 sends mixed signals to farmers.
  • Import duties on pulses, except moong and large kabuli chana, have been removed, discouraging domestic cultivation.

Way Forward:

Technological Innovations

  • Investment in breeding programs to develop high-yielding, drought-resistant varieties of tur/arhar, urad, and masoor.
  • Adoption of mechanized harvesting techniques to reduce labor costs and improve efficiency.

Policy Reforms

  • Gradual restoration of import duties to protect domestic farmers from cheap imports.
  • Offering incentives to farmers for cultivating pulses as part of crop diversification.

Market Support

  • Strengthening MSP procurement mechanisms to ensure fair prices for farmers.
  • Expanding storage infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilize market prices.

International Collaboration

  • Exploring bilateral agreements with countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, and Canada for secure and sustainable pulse imports when necessary.

Farmer Awareness Programs

  • Conducting awareness campaigns on the benefits of short-duration pulse varieties and government procurement schemes.

Conclusion:

India’s mission for self-reliance in pulses is a timely move amid rising imports. Addressing policy ambiguities, investing in hybrid seeds, and enhancing market support are crucial to achieving sustainable growth and ensuring food security.

Source: TH

Mains Practice Question:

Evaluate the effectiveness of India’s renewed Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses. Discuss the challenges related to crop yields, policy ambiguities, and market dynamics, suggesting strategies to achieve sustainable growth in pulses production and reduce import dependency.