India’s Pulse Imports Fall 31% as Production Hits 274 Lakh Tonnes

Why It Matters: Both More Land and Better Yields

The production gain came from two sources in roughly equal measure: farmers sowed more land with pulses, and each hectare produced more. That balance matters, because land is limited, and long-term self-reliance depends mainly on improving yields.

The road ahead is still long. To reach the target of about 350 lakh tonnes by 2030–31, production must grow by roughly 28% more, or about 5% every year. That is faster than the past year’s pace when area growth is excluded, so higher-yielding seeds and assured procurement will need to do much of the work.

A note of caution: the 31.5% fall in imports is measured in value, so part of it may reflect lower global prices rather than smaller import volumes alone. The factsheet did not give import volumes.

How the Mission Works

• Outlay: ₹11,440 crore.
• Focus crops: Tur, urad and masoor.
• Seeds: 87.5 lakh free seed kits and 126 lakh quintals of certified seeds over six years.
• Coverage: A cluster-based approach across 489 districts.
• Assured buying: Procurement of tur, urad and masoor at MSP through NAFED and NCCF from registered farmers.

What It Means for Rajasthan

Rajasthan is one of India’s major pulse-growing states, alongside Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. For its farmers, assured MSP procurement and better seeds could make pulses a more dependable crop.

For Your Plate

Pulses contain 20–25% protein, more than double that of wheat and nearly three times that of rice, making them central to India’s nutrition.

The Bottom Line

India is growing more dal and importing less of it. Sustaining that, and reaching 350 lakh tonnes by 2030–31, will depend on pushing yields higher year after year.

With inputs from IANS.