PM to launch Pulses mission, Dhan Dhaanya Yojana on oct 11

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two central government schemes the Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses and the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana in New Delhi on October 11. The launch aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in agriculture and reduce dependence on imports.

The two schemes, which have already received Cabinet approval, will be implemented from the upcoming rabi (winter) season and continue until the 2030-31 crop year. The launch event will take place at the Pusa campus, where the Prime Minister will also unveil projects worth Rs 3,681 crore in sectors including fisheries, livestock, and food processing. Modi will interact with farmers during the event and felicitate progressive farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations, and cooperative societies.

Addressing a press conference, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan noted that while India has achieved self-sufficiency in wheat and rice, pulses and oilseeds remain a challenge. The Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses targets an increase in pulses production from the current 252.38 lakh tonnes to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31. The scheme, with a financial outlay of Rs 11,440 crore, plans to distribute high-yielding, disease-resistant seed varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) over the past five years to farmers.

To incentivise cultivation, the government will procure 100 per cent of pulses produced at minimum support prices (MSP) through agencies NAFED and NCCF. A strategy has been devised to boost production by expanding cultivation areas and improving crop productivity. When asked about possible restrictions on duty-free imports of yellow peas and the impact on domestic pulses prices, the minister stated that appropriate decisions would be taken at the right time. Despite being the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, India continues to rely on imports to meet domestic demand.

The Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, with a budget of Rs 24,000 crore, will focus on transforming 100 low-performing agricultural districts. The scheme aims to increase productivity, promote crop diversification, enhance irrigation and storage infrastructure, and provide easier access to credit. It will ensure convergence of 36 existing schemes from 11 ministries, directly benefiting 1.7 crore farmers and concentrating exclusively on agriculture and allied activities.

The launch of these initiatives marks a significant effort to strengthen India’s agricultural sector, improve farmer incomes, and reduce reliance on imports in key crop segments.