Pulses are important source of protein for majority of Indian population. India is largest producer and consumer of pulses globally. To address challenges around pulses production and trade, Ministry of Agriculture organized Pulses Convention-2024.
Key Highlights of Convention
Inaugural Session
- Agriculture Minister highlighted government’s efforts to attain pulses self-sufficiency by 2027
- Emphasized sustainable production through intercropping and new variants
- Assured minimum 50% returns to farmers on production cost
Pulses Production Strategy
- Focus on cluster-based approach in pulses production
- Creation of Pulses Development Hubs across 15 lakh hectares
- Promoting intercropping with cereals, oilseeds to optimize land use
- Boosting acreage under lentils (masoor), pigeon peas (arhar) through incentives
Research & Development
- Release of 39 new high-yielding pulse crop variants more resilient to climate change and pests
- Use of biotechnological tools like MAS, Gene editing for further better pulses variants
- Increased funding for R&D in pulses under National Agricultural Research System (NARS)
Enhancing Productivity
- Bring additional 6 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation for pulses crops to enhance yield
- Greater thrust on distribution of soil health cards to farmers
- Transfer of precision farming techniques to boost productivity
Pulse Processing & Value Addition
- Creation of 100 pulse processing clusters through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode
- 25% capital subsidy for machinery purchase for pulse processing units
- Focus on byproducts utilization for maximum economic returns
Trade Policy Reforms
- Review of import duty regime to ensure remunerative prices for domestic produce
- Creation of 10 lakh MT pulses buffer stock to curb price volatility
- Boosting futures trading to enable price discovery and risk management
| Pulses Production Stats India | |
| Total Production (2023-24) | 27 million tonnes |
| Share in Global Output | 25% |
| Annual Domestic Demand | 28 million tonnes |
| Key Producing States | MP, Maharashtra, UP, Rajasthan |
Pulses are crucial source of proteins, fibers, vitamins and minerals in Indian dietary habits. Provide nutritional security and income generation for millions of smallholder farmers. India world’s largest producer (25% global output) and consumer of pulses
Importance of Pulses
- Pulses supply vital proteins especially to India’s large vegetarian population
- Help tackle malnutrition and deficiencies of vitamins, minerals in diverse groups
- Enhance soil fertility through nitrogen fixation improving soil health
- Generate additional farm income through intercropping with other crops
Current Pulses Scenario
- India produces 27 million tonnes (FY 2023-24) across varieties like chickpeas, pigeon peas
- However, domestic demand outstrips supply by 5%, bridged through imports
- Madhya Pradesh leads in pulses output followed by Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh
- Productivity levels lag global benchmarks indicating scope for improvement
Pulses Production Challenges
- Highly rainfed production with lack of protective irrigation , vulnerability to monsoon vagaries
- Small and fragmented landholdings not suitable for mechanization
- Limited access to quality seeds, fertilizers, credit for farmers
- Over 90% production from unorganized sector with issues in post-harvest management
Boosting Production through Policy Initiatives
- Launching National Pulses Mission focusing on cluster-based production
- Establishing dedicated Pulses Development Hubs and Centers of Excellence
- Promoting intercropping of pulses with cereals, oilseeds through incentives
- Allocating funds for creating local pulses seed banks and testing infrastructure
- Deploying pulses crop insurance and Minimum Support Price mechanisms
Augmenting Trade
- Enhance competitiveness of Indian pulses in global markets through improved supply chains
- Review import duty structures to prevent dumping from harming farmers
- Build buffer stock of 10 lakh MT pulses to curb price volatility
- Promote futures trading for efficient price discovery and risk management
- Branding of Indian organic, specialty pulses in international gourmet markets
The comprehensive interventions in Pulses Convention 2024 from production to trade are poised to enable India achieve self-sufficiency and enhance farmers’ welfare.
| Key Statistics | |
| Annual Per Capita Pulses Consumption | 21 kg |
| Share of Pulses in Protein Intake | 20-25% |
| Pulses Requirement 2030 | 32 million tonnes |
| Pulses Export Value (FY 2022-23) | $2.5 billion |
The Pulses Convention-2024 provided the policy roadmap to boost domestic output, bring price stability and raise farmers’ income. With focused interventions as highlighted coupled with enabling trade mechanisms, India aims to achieve self-reliance in pulses.