Food and nutrition diversification is a cornerstone of India’s agricultural and economic landscape. As a nation with a vast agrarian base, diversification provides pathways to improve food security, enhance nutritional outcomes, and ensure environmental sustainability. The Pulse Mission, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, marks a significant stride in this direction. We explore the Pulse Mission and its implications, alongside a broader analysis of food and nutrition diversification in India.
Pulse Mission: A Paradigm Shift Towards Self-Sufficiency
The Pulse Mission, unveiled in the Union Budget 2025-26 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reflects the government’s commitment to agricultural sustainability and nutritional security. With an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore, the mission aims to boost the production of key pulses such as tur (arhar), urad (mash), and masoor through direct interventions and incentives.
Rationale Behind the Pulse Mission
- Reducing Import Dependence: India, despite being the largest producer of pulses, heavily relies on imports. In 2023-24, pulse imports surged by 84% year-on-year to 4.65 million tonnes, costing $3.75 billion. Unfavorable climate conditions and stagnating domestic production necessitated duty-free imports to stabilize market prices.
- Strategic Goals: The government aims to eliminate pulse imports by 2028-29. This underscores the mission’s importance in achieving self-sufficiency.
- Alignment with Broader Objectives: The Pulse Mission is part of India’s vision to become a global food basket and addresses challenges in low-productivity districts.
Objectives and Key Features of the Pulse Mission
- Climate-Resilient Varieties: Developing pulse strains capable of thriving in adverse climatic conditions.
- Price Assurance: Ensuring remunerative prices for growers through direct procurement by agencies like NAFED and NCCF.
- Post-Harvest Support: Robust measures to reduce wastage and maintain quality.
- Technological Integration: Leveraging programs under the Prime Minister Krishi Yojana to improve farming techniques and irrigation efficiency.
- Dedicated Financial Support: The Union Budget 2025-26’s allocation of ₹1.27 lakh crore to the Department of Agriculture underscores the government’s focus on this sector.
Broader Implications for Food and Nutrition Diversification
Nutritional and Economic Importance of Pulses
- Health Benefits: Pulses are rich in protein, fiber, and micronutrients, making them essential for combating malnutrition and promoting dietary diversity.
- Farmer Empowerment: Enhanced pulse production boosts farmer incomes, particularly benefiting smallholders. Clusters dedicated to vegetable and pulse cultivation can further enhance rural prosperity.
Addressing Agronomic and Environmental Challenges
- Sustainable Practices: Incorporating pulses in crop rotation improves soil health through nitrogen fixation and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers.
- Water Efficiency: Pulses are less water-intensive compared to traditional crops like rice and wheat, making them ideal for water-scarce regions.
Case Study: Punjab’s Potential for Diversification
Punjab, traditionally known as India’s “granary,” faces critical challenges due to its focus on wheat and paddy cultivation. The Pulse Mission provides a viable framework to address these issues.
- Reducing Water Stress: Transitioning from water-intensive crops to pulses can mitigate groundwater depletion and soil degradation.
- Economic Incentives: The assurance of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for pulses can encourage diversification.
- Boosting Domestic Supply: With Punjab’s pulse production falling short of its annual requirement of 6 lakh tonnes, the mission can bridge the supply gap.
- Sustainability: Integrating pulses into crop rotation can create ecological balance and enhance long-term agricultural sustainability.
Expanding the Scope of Diversification
While the Pulse Mission is a pivotal initiative, achieving comprehensive food and nutrition diversification requires a multifaceted approach.
Promoting Indigenous and Resilient Crops
- Millets: Celebrated globally during the “International Year of Millets” in 2023, millets are known for their health benefits and adaptability to arid regions.
- Traditional Varieties: Encouraging the cultivation of indigenous fruits and vegetables enhances biodiversity and supports local economies.
Strengthening Agri-Infrastructure
- Storage Solutions: Expanding cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses.
- Value Addition: Processing agricultural produce can increase shelf life and market value.
Enhancing Research and Development
- Seed Innovations: Developing high-yield, pest-resistant crop varieties to improve productivity.
- Soil Health: Promoting organic farming and regular soil testing to ensure sustainable practices.
Policy and Institutional Support
- Credit and Market Access: Simplifying access to credit and strengthening market linkages through farmer-producer organizations (FPOs).
- Cluster-Based Interventions: Establishing dedicated zones for pulses and underutilized crops to enhance production efficiency.
Empowering Farmers
- Capacity Building: Conducting training programs on sustainable farming practices.
- Gender Inclusion: Providing financial and technical support to women farmers for inclusive agricultural development.
Overview of India’s Agricultural Schemes Supporting Pulse Mission Objectives
India has initiated several agricultural schemes aligned with the objectives of the Pulse Mission to enhance pulse production, promote crop diversification, and encourage sustainable farming practices.
1. National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Pulses
The NFSM-Pulses is a flagship program designed to increase pulse production through area expansion and productivity enhancement. Active across 28 states and 2 Union Territories, including Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, it integrates interventions such as cluster demonstrations of modern farming techniques, distribution of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) and hybrids, and promotion of advanced farm machinery. Other aspects include soil improvement, nutrient management, plant protection measures, and cropping system-based training. Additionally, 150 seed hubs have been established to distribute quality seeds efficiently, fostering accessibility to farmers and ensuring better yields.
2. Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)
As a sub-scheme under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), the CDP aims to reduce the reliance on water-intensive crops like paddy by encouraging alternative crops such as pulses, oilseeds, maize, and cotton. Particularly significant in Green Revolution states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, the CDP supports alternate crop demonstrations, financial aid for farm mechanization, value addition, and extensive training and awareness campaigns. This program simultaneously conserves water resources and promotes balanced agricultural development.
3. PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan)
The PM-AASHA scheme addresses the economic challenges faced by farmers due to market volatility. It consists of three sub-schemes:
- Price Support Scheme (PSS): Ensures central procurement of pulses at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
- Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): Provides compensation when market prices fall below MSP.
- Private Procurement Stockist Scheme (PPSS): Encourages private sector involvement in pulse procurement to expand market opportunities for farmers.
4. Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
Announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, this six-year mission focuses on self-sufficiency in pulses by 2029 with a budget allocation of ₹1,000 crore. Emphasis is placed on developing climate-resilient seeds, promoting procurement of key pulses like tur, urad, and masoor through agencies such as NAFED, and enhancing post-harvest management. These initiatives align with India’s vision of agricultural independence and resilience.
5. Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
This scheme integrates productivity enhancement, crop diversification, and sustainable farming practices. Covering 100 districts in its first phase, it aims to benefit over 1.7 crore farmers by providing financial assistance, irrigation facilities, and credit access, thus improving overall agricultural infrastructure.
6. Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization
The scheme encourages sustainable practices by supporting the adoption of farm machinery and equipment, including those for crop residue management. It also aids farmers’ cooperatives in setting up Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs), enabling cost-effective access to modern tools and discouraging harmful practices like stubble burning.
7. National Mission on High Yielding Seeds
Launched to bolster seed research and distribution, this mission focuses on the propagation of high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient seeds. Over 100 new seed varieties have been developed since July 2024 under this initiative, providing a robust foundation for enhanced pulse cultivation.
8. State-Specific Initiatives Under RKVY
States have the flexibility to implement crop diversification initiatives tailored to local needs under the RKVY framework. For instance, Punjab’s “Mera Pani Meri Virasat” program incentivizes farmers with ₹7,000 per acre for replacing paddy with alternative crops like pulses. Such state-driven innovations complement national efforts in promoting sustainable agriculture.
9. Technological Interventions by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
KVKs demonstrate advanced farming techniques customized to local conditions. They conduct training programs on cropping systems, distribute seed mini-kits, and promote innovative practices, ensuring farmers are equipped with the knowledge and resources to improve productivity.
10. ICAR Research and Seed Hubs
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities, develops high-yielding pulse varieties and production packages tailored to regional needs. Since 2016-17, ICAR’s 150 seed hubs have produced over 1 lakh quintals of quality pulse seeds, directly benefiting farmers and boosting pulse production.
Pulse Mission: A Pathway to Nutritional Security and Sustainable Agriculture
Food and nutrition diversification is essential for addressing India’s challenges related to malnutrition, climate resilience, and agricultural sustainability. The Pulse Mission is a critical initiative, offering targeted solutions to boost pulse production and reduce import dependence. However, achieving long-term success requires a holistic approach that includes promoting indigenous crops, strengthening agri-infrastructure, fostering innovation, and empowering farmers. By embracing these strategies, India can secure its nutritional future and position itself as a global leader in sustainable agriculture.
MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding the Pulse Mission and related agricultural initiatives in India:
- The Pulse Mission aims to boost the production of tur, urad, and masoor, with central agencies like NAFED and NCCF procuring these pulses directly from registered farmers.
- The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Pulses operates in all 28 states and 3 Union Territories of India.
- The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana covers 150 districts in its first phase and aims to benefit 2 crore farmers by improving farming practices, irrigation, and credit access.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: c) 1 only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. The Pulse Mission, as announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, focuses on boosting the production of tur (arhar), urad (mash), and masoor. Central agencies like NAFED and NCCF will procure these pulses directly from farmers who register with them over the next four years.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Pulses does focus on area expansion and productivity enhancement, it operates in 28 states and 2 Union Territories (Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh), not 3 Union Territories.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana covers 100 districts (not 150) in its first phase and aims to benefit 1.7 crore farmers (not 2 crore) by improving farming practices, irrigation, and credit access.
Mains Question
The Pulse Mission represents a significant step towards achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production and promoting agricultural diversification in India. Critically examine the potential impact of this mission on addressing the challenges faced by farmers, particularly in states like Punjab, and suggest measures to ensure its effective implementation. [250W, 15M]