Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission on 11 October 2025 with an outlay of ₹11,440 crore to boost domestic pulse production, reduce import dependence, and support nearly 2 crore farmers.
The mission aims to expand cultivation by 35 lakh hectares, increase production of tur, urad, and masoor, and ensure 100% procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) over the next four years.
The initiative is part of a larger ₹35,440 crore agricultural push, including the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, and aligns with the government’s vision of doubling farmers’ incomes and achieving nutritional self-reliance.
Mission Objectives: From Seeds to Procurement
The Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission targets a significant expansion in pulse cultivation by utilising rice fallow and diversifiable lands across India. It will distribute 88 lakh free seed kits featuring high-yield, climate-resilient varieties to improve productivity and reduce input costs.
To strengthen the value chain, the mission will establish 1,000 processing units to minimise post-harvest losses and enhance market access. A key assurance is 100% procurement of tur, urad, and masoor at MSP through NAFED and NCCF, ensuring income security for farmers. A global pulse price monitoring mechanism will also be set up to protect farmers from market volatility.
Background: Addressing India’s Pulse Deficit
India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, yet imports meet 15–20% of domestic demand due to stagnant yields and limited cultivation area. While foodgrain production has surged by 90 million metric tonnes since 2014, pulse output has not kept pace with rising nutritional needs.
The mission recognises pulses as a critical source of plant-based protein, especially for India’s largely vegetarian population, and aims to enhance both food and nutritional security. It builds on past successes like the Aspirational Districts Programme and integrates 36 existing schemes to create a unified, district-level action plan tailored to local soil and climate conditions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
True self-reliance begins with nourishing both the soil and the people who till it. The Logical Indian welcomes the Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission as a step toward empowering farmers, strengthening food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
