While flood-affected farmers in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir have received their ₹2,000 installment, farmers in other states are still awaiting a government announcement. Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made a significant announcement for farmers. The government has set a robust target of increasing pulse production by a whopping 40% to 35 million tonnes by 2030-31. This goal will not only make the country self-sufficient in pulses but will also have a direct and positive impact on farmers’ incomes.
Revolution in Pulse Production
To make farmers self-reliant, the central government has placed special emphasis on pulse production. Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a six-year central scheme with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore to achieve self-sufficiency in pulse production. This ‘Mission for Self-Sufficiency in Pulses’ will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2030-31. The mission aims to provide unprecedented growth in pulse production. Farmers will also be provided with high-quality pulse seeds through this mission, significantly improving crop quality.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Big Announcement
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed confidence that pulse production will increase significantly over the next six years. He stated that crop productivity will be increased along with increasing acreage. The government has identified 100 blocks where productivity is significantly lower than the national average. He also assured that appropriate decisions will be taken regarding import duties on pulses to protect farmers’ interests.
Ambitious Target of 35 Million Tonnes by 2030-31
Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that India is not only the world’s largest producer but also the largest consumer. We have to import large quantities of pulses to meet domestic demand. The minister stated that the objective of this Pulses Mission is to boost production and make India self-sufficient. Chauhan clarified, “We will increase the area under pulses from the current 27.5 million hectares to 31 million hectares by 2030-31.
We have also set a big target of increasing pulse production from 24.2 million tonnes in 2023-24 to 35 million tonnes.” He also stated that pulse production is projected to reach 25.238 million tonnes in the 2024-25 crop year. Crop productivity will increase from an average of 881 kilograms per hectare to 1,130 kilograms per hectare.
21st Installment of PM Kisan
While the government is preparing to revolutionize pulse production, millions of farmers are eagerly awaiting the 21st installment of the PM Kisan Yojana. Farmers in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir have already received ₹2,000 in their accounts, while no official announcement has been made for farmers in other states.
However, likely, the government will soon release the 21st installment of the PM Kisan Yojana during the festive season. Farmers can expect this significant amount of ₹2,000 to be credited to their accounts before Diwali, providing them with significant financial relief during the festive season.