The Government of India launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (MAP) 2025-31, a six-year centrally-sponsored scheme aimed at making India self-sufficient in pulse production. The mission carries a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore and targets raising national pulse production to 350 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) by 2031, up from the 252.38 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
The mission focuses on three critical pulses: Tur (pigeon pea), Urad (black gram), and Masoor (red lentil), which together account for over 60% of domestic demand. A cornerstone feature of MAP is the guarantee of 100% procurement of these three crops through NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation) and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation), providing direct income assurance to farmers.
Key components of the mission include: distribution of high-yielding and climate-resilient seed varieties; expansion of pulse cultivation into non-traditional areas including rice fallows, dryland regions, and tribal belts; promotion of micro-irrigation to reduce water dependency; and post-harvest infrastructure support including storage and processing facilities.
India currently imports 47.38 lakh tonnes of pulses in 2023–24, making import substitution a critical economic objective. The mission aligns with the broader goal of reducing food inflation, particularly for protein-rich food items that form a staple part of the average Indian diet.
For Rajasthan, which is one of the leading producers of Moong and Moth, the mission holds special relevance. Rajasthan contributes significantly to national pulse output and the additional support for dryland cultivation directly benefits farmers in Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, and Jaisalmer districts. The state is expected to receive a proportionate share of the central allocation under MAP.
The mission integrates with existing schemes like PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan) and the Price Support Scheme (PSS) to create a comprehensive support ecosystem for pulse farmers.