Structural Reforms in Agriculture Sector Essential for Ensuring India's Food Security and Pulse Self-Sufficiency
India faces a persistent gap between pulse production (2.5 crore tonnes) and demand (3 crore tonnes), relying heavily on imports. The article emphasizes that while the government launched a self-sufficiency mission in October 2025 with an ₹11,440 crore outlay, structural reforms are critical. Farmers remain vulnerable due to weak procurement mechanisms and competition from international markets, particularly following trade deals with the U.S. To break the cycle of underinvestment, India must provide genuine MSP guarantees, improve procurement infrastructure, and invest in productivity for rain-fed areas where pulses are predominantly grown.
Key Points
- India's pulse demand exceeds domestic production by approximately 50 lakh tonnes annually.
- Pulses are a vital non-cereal protein source, supporting five crore farmers and their families.
- The October 2025 self-sufficiency mission targets 350 lakh tonnes of production by 2030-31.
- Lack of reliable MSP and procurement infrastructure disincentivizes farmers from investing in pulse cultivation.
Exam Facts
- Self-sufficiency Mission launched in Oct 2025 with ₹11,440 crore outlay.
- Production target: 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31.
- Current pulse output hovers around 2.5 crore tonnes.
- Price Support Scheme (PSS) procurement fluctuates between 2.9% and 12.4% of production.
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