PM Modi to Launch ₹42,000-Crore Agri Reforms, New Mission to Achieve Self-Reliance in Pulses by 2030

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil two flagship initiatives — the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana and the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission — on Saturday, aimed at boosting India’s pulse production and ensuring greater agricultural self-sufficiency by 2030-31. The initiatives were first announced in the Union Budget and mark a strategic shift toward reducing dependence on imports of essential food grains.

The government’s goal is to expand the country’s pulse cultivation area from 27.5 million hectares to 31 million hectares, and raise total output from 24.2 million tonnes to 35 million tonnes by 2030-31.

---

A Major Step Toward Food Security

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Centre would procure pulses directly from domestic farmers under the new mission to ensure price stability and encourage production.

“India has achieved complete self-reliance in wheat and rice and has exported over four crore tonnes of agricultural produce,” Mr. Chouhan said. “However, pulses remain the one sector where we still rely on imports. These schemes are a decisive step toward closing that gap.”

India is currently the world’s largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses, underscoring the need to improve domestic productivity and infrastructure.

---

Boosting Productivity and Value Addition

Under the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission, the government plans to increase average productivity from 880 kg to 1,130 kg per hectare. To achieve this, high-quality seed varieties will be distributed to farmers, and technological support will be provided through agricultural extension programmes.

Additionally, 1,000 pulse processing units will be established across major growing regions to improve farm-gate prices and promote local value addition. Each unit will receive a ₹25 lakh subsidy from the Centre.

“The entire agricultural machinery, in partnership with State governments, will function under the vision of ‘One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team’,” Mr. Chouhan said.

---

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana: Tackling Productivity Gaps

The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana will focus on bridging regional productivity disparities by identifying 100 low-yield districts and implementing targeted interventions. These include improved irrigation coverage, enhanced storage and warehousing facilities, expanded access to rural credit, and greater promotion of crop diversification.

The initiative is also expected to strengthen the resilience of small and marginal farmers by improving supply-chain efficiency and minimizing post-harvest losses.

---

₹42,000-Crore Agri Investment Push

In addition to the two new schemes, the Prime Minister will inaugurate over 1,100 projects worth ₹42,000 crore across agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing sectors. These investments are designed to modernize India’s rural economy, create employment opportunities, and expand export potential.

Experts view these measures as critical for ensuring long-term food security and reducing import dependency, especially amid fluctuating global commodity prices and climate-related risks.