Lok Sabha Question No. 246 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Production of Pulses
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora, Shri Brijendra Singh Ola

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 246

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  MARCH, 2026

## PRODUCTION OF PULSES

## 246. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH OLA: SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether pulses are being imported on a large scale despite adequate production of pulses  in  the  country  as  a  result  farmers  in  pulses  producing  areas  of  many  districts especially  Jhunjhunu,  Churu,  Sriganganagar,  Nagaur,  Bharatpur  and  Hanumangarh  in Rajasthan are not getting remunerative prices;
- (b) if so, the quantity of pulses imported and exported alongwith the total expenditure incurred by the Government on the import during the last three years, year-wise;
- (c) whether the Government is formulating any special policy or action plan to promote the production of pulses such as moong, moth, gram and arhar to encourage the export of these pulses and reduce dependence on imports in the country; and
- (d) if so, the concrete steps taken by the Government in this regard along with the time by which farmers are likely to get its benefit?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

- (a)  to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NUMBER  246  FOR  10 TH MARCH, 2026  REGARDING PRODUCTION OF PULSES

(a) & (b): India is one of the largest producers as well as consumers of pulses in the world. The production of pulses in India has increased from 163.23 lakh tonnes during 2015-16 to 256.83 lakh tonnes during 2024-25, which is 57% increase in production over the past 9 years. However, despite these gains in production, demand of pulses has also increased due to growing recognition of the nutrition benefits driven by rising household income. Imports are undertaken from time to time to bridge the gap between domestic production  and  consumption  to  ensure  adequate  availability  of  pulses  in  the  domestic market and stabilize prices for consumers. The Government closely monitors the pulses market and regulates imports through appropriate policy measures such as quantitative restrictions, tariffs, and stock limits, with the objective of protecting farmers' interests while ensuring price stability. The import of pulses during last three years was 24.96 lakh metric tonnes in 2022-23, 47.39 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24, and 72.56 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25. During the same period, the export of pulses was 7.63, 5.94 and 7.31 lakh metric tonnes, respectively. There is no expenditure incurred by the Government on the import of pulses, as these imports are done by private traders.

Further, to ensure remunerative prices to farmers, pulses have been procured at a Minimum  Support  Prices  (MSP)  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Annadata  Aay  SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme. From Rabi 2025, the central agencies namely, National Agricultural  Cooperative  Marketing  Federation  of  India  (NAFED)  and  the  National Cooperative  Consumers'  Federation  (NCCF)  undertake  assured  procurement  for  Tur, Urad, and Masoor directly from the registered farmers from all States including Rajasthan. During the year 2024-25, a total 18.40 lakh metric tonnes pulses were procured in the country  at  MSP  benefiting  9.35  lakh  farmers.  The  district  wise  details  of  pulses procurement in Rajasthan state during the last three years is at Annexure-I.

(c) & (d): The  Government  has  launched  a  centrally  sponsored  scheme  namely 'Mission  for  Aatmanirbharta  in  Pulses'  in  October,  2025  aimed  at  boosting  domestic production  and  achieving  self-sufficiency  (Aatmanirbharta)  in  pulses  over  a  six-year period, from 2025-26 to 2030-31, with a financial outlay of Rs. 11,440 Crore.

The objective of the Mission is to enhance pulses production with a special focus on Tur, Urad, Masoor, promoting production and availability of climate resilient seeds for farmers,  Increase  area  under  pulses  cultivation,  promote  post-harvest  storage  and management technology. Under the Pulses Mission, financial assistance is provided to pulses farmers through State governments through various interventions such as seed production,  distribution  of  certified  seeds,  demonstration  of  latest  crop  production technologies,  capacity  building,  seed  kit  distribution  and  strengthening  post-harvest infrastructure.  The  Mission  also  supports  procurement  of  Tur,  Urad,  Masoor  from registered farmers by NAFED and NCCF for next four years as per the norms of Price Support Scheme (PSS) under Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PMAASHA) as per requisitions  made  by  the  states.  Under  the  Mission  for  improving  the production  and  productivity  of  Pulses  assistance  is  provided  for  focused  research  to develop  high  yielding varieties.  To  strengthen  post-harvest  infrastructure  financial assistance up to Rs. 25 lakh is being provided for setting up processing units over the period of 2025-26 to 2030-31.

Annexure-I The district wise details of quantity of pulses procurement in Rajasthan state during 2022-23 to 2024-25 (Quantity in lakh metric tonnes)

| District       |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |
|----------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Churu          |      0.2  |      0.05 |      0.21 |
| Hanumangarh    |      0.04 |      0    |      0.04 |
| Jhunjhunu      |      0.09 |      0.05 |      0.03 |
| Nagaur         |      0.64 |      0.17 |      0.46 |
| Sri Ganganagar |      0.04 |      0    |      0.06 |
| Total          |      1.01 |      0.27 |      0.8  |

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