Why in the News?

• NITI Aayog has unveiled a roadmap to boost pulses production in India, aiming for self-sufficiency and reduced import dependence by 2047.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Pulses Production (Introduction, Production, etc.)
• NITI Aayog’s Report (Recommendations)

Introduction

• Pulses are central to India’s food and nutritional security, providing protein-rich diets while also contributing to sustainable agriculture through nitrogen fixation and low water requirements.
• India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses, making self-reliance in production a national priority.
• Recognising this, NITI Aayog has released a report titled “Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta”, laying out a comprehensive roadmap to reduce import dependency and enhance domestic production.

Pulses Production in India

• India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions allow the cultivation of 12 pulse crops across kharif, rabi, and summer seasons.
• Major producing states, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, account for over 55% of production, while the top ten states contribute over 91% of the national output.
• Historically, the country’s dependence on imports was high. Production dipped to 16.35 million tonnes (MT) in 2015-16, necessitating 6 MT of imports.
• However, government interventions, including the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Minimum Support Price (MSP) policies, improved output significantly.
• By 2022-23, production rose by nearly 59.4% to 26.06 MT, with productivity increasing by 38%. Import dependence simultaneously fell from 29% to just 10.4%.
• Despite this progress, challenges persist. Nearly 80% of pulses cultivation is rain-fed, making production vulnerable to climatic fluctuations.
• The sector supports the livelihood of over five crore farmers and their families, underscoring the importance of a stable policy framework.

NITI Aayog’s Recommendations

• NITI Aayog’s roadmap emphasises tailored interventions for different states and districts to boost productivity and sustainability.
• Key recommendations include:

• Area Retention and Diversification: Encouraging region-specific crop clusters to optimise cultivation.
• Technology Adoption: Promoting customised farming technologies suited for varied agro-ecological sub-regions.
• Seed Quality and Distribution: Focusing on high-quality seed treatment kits and ensuring widespread distribution, particularly in 111 high-potential districts that contribute 75% of national output.
• Cluster-Based Hubs: Introducing the “One Block–One Seed Village” model through farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) to enhance local productivity.
• Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses: A six-year initiative targeting key crops such as pigeonpea, black gram, and lentil to further strengthen self-sufficiency.

• The report projects that India’s pulse production will reach 30.59 MT by 2030 and 45.79 MT by 2047, aligning with the nation’s long-term goal of food security and reduced import reliance.

Nutritional and Environmental Importance

• Beyond food security, pulses are vital for nutrition, especially in a country where vegetarian diets dominate.
• They are a major source of protein, iron, and other micronutrients, helping combat malnutrition.
• Environmentally, pulses enhance soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, require less water compared to cereals, and reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture.

Conclusion

• India has made remarkable progress in pulses production over the past decade, but achieving self-sufficiency requires sustained and region-specific interventions.
• NITI Aayog’s strategic recommendations, focused on seeds, technology, and targeted clusters, are expected to accelerate progress towards Atmanirbharta in pulses.
• By 2047, India envisions not just meeting its domestic demand but also positioning itself as a key player in the global pulses market.