Parliament Question: Production of Pulses

O.I.H. 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 10TH MARCH, 2026 PRODUCTION OF PULSES 246. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH OLA: SHRI KULDEEP INDORA: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी 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 कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the HouseSTATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NUMBER 246 FOR 10TH 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 (PM- AASHA) 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 0.20 0.05 0.21 Hanumangarh 0.04 0.00 0.04 Jhunjhunu 0.09 0.05 0.03 Nagaur 0.64 0.17 0.46 Sri Ganganagar 0.04 0.00 0.06 Total 1.01 0.27 0.80 *******