NITI Aayog released its landmark "Pulses Atmanirbharta" report on September 4, 2025, outlining India's roadmap to achieve complete self-sufficiency in pulses production by 2030 and to double pulse output by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat mission.
The report highlights a dramatic improvement in India's pulse production over the past decade. Total pulse production increased from 16.35 million tonnes (MT) to 26.06 MT — a rise of 59.4% — while import dependency dropped sharply from 29% to just 10.4%. This transformation has been driven by the adoption of high-yielding varieties, improved irrigation access, and better procurement policies under the National Food Security Act framework.
India remains the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses, accounting for approximately 25% of global production and 27% of global consumption. Despite progress, demand continues to outpace production, keeping import dependence non-trivial. The report identifies several structural challenges: low productivity per hectare compared to global averages, nearly 80% of pulse production dependent on rainfed areas, and price volatility that discourages cultivation.
Rajasthan is identified as a major pulse-producing state, contributing significantly to moong, moth, and chana production. The state's arid and semi-arid regions are well-suited for drought-resistant pulse varieties, and the report recommends targeted interventions in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra to close the productivity gap.
The Atmanirbharta roadmap calls for: increased minimum support price (MSP) assurance, expansion of micro-irrigation in pulse belts, promotion of inter-cropping, and investment in post-harvest infrastructure. Achieving the 2030 target would save approximately $3–4 billion annually in import expenditure.