NITI Aayog Releases Strategy for Building a Self-Reliant Pulses Sector

Brief Context

Context A report titled “Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta” was released by the NITI Aayog. Importance of Pulses in India Catering Nutritional Security: They are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, benefiting both human and animal health, and support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Sustainable Development: Pulses enhance soil health, conserve water, an

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Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

Context

• A report titled “Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta” was released by the NITI Aayog.
  • India is the largest producer and consumer, accounting for ~38% of global area and ~28% of production. India remains the second-largest importer of pulses, after China.
  • Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan account for over 55% of production.

Importance of Pulses in India

• Catering Nutritional Security: They are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, benefiting both human and animal health, and support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). 
• Sustainable Development: Pulses enhance soil health, conserve water, and help to mitigate climate change. Their low carbon footprint and nitrogen-fixing ability aid in reducing synthetic fertilizer use, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Challenges Highlighted by the Report

• India’s Low Yield: Despite this, India’s average yield (0.74 t/ha) is below the global average (0.97 t/ha) .
  • India ranks lowest in yield among the top ten pulse producers.
• Technological Gaps: Limited progress in developing and adopting high-yielding varieties compared to cereals.
  • Weak extension support and inadequate farmer access to quality seeds and modern production technologies.
  • Poor management of pests and diseases in pulse crops.
• Environmental Constraints: Predominance of rainfed cultivation with inadequate irrigation infrastructure.
  • High vulnerability to climatic vagaries such as droughts, erratic rainfall, and El Niño/La Niña shocks.
• Economic and Market Challenges: Volatile market prices and frequent supply-demand fluctuations discourage farmers.
  • Lower profitability of pulses compared to cereals reduces farmer incentives.
  • Weak and fragmented marketing channels restrict farmer access to stable markets.

Recommendations for Achieving Self-Sufficiency

• Area Retention and Diversification: Retain existing pulse area and diversify cultivation through targeted crop-wise clustering.
  • Develop strategies tailored for specific agro-ecological sub-regions.
• Seed and Technology Interventions: Ensure high-quality seed distribution and seed treatment kits, with special focus on 111 high-potential districts contributing 75% of national output.
  • Promote the concept of “One Block–One Seed Village” to build cluster-based hubs, supported by Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
• Climate Adaptation: Mainstream proactive climate adaptation measures to reduce risks from El Niño, La Niña, and other climate-induced shocks.
• Data-Driven Transformation: Establish comprehensive monitoring systems and decision-support tools for planning, early warnings, and market intelligence.
  • Use technology-driven platforms to strengthen transparency and traceability across the value chain.

Source: PIB