A new chapter in India’s agricultural policy began on February 7, 2026, from the Food Legumes Research Centre (FLRP), Amlaha in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh, with the launch of a nationwide pulses revolution under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The National Pulses Consultation and Strategy Meeting brought together Union and state agriculture ministers, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, scientists, representatives from ICAR–ICARDA, progressive farmers, FPOs, seed companies and millers, setting a clear direction: the roadmap for a self-reliant India in pulses will be driven from the fields, not files.
Two Clear Policy Messages: Self-Reliance and Farmers First
From Amlaha, Shri Chouhan delivered two unequivocal messages. First, importing pulses is a matter of shame for India, and the country will now move decisively towards becoming an exporter of pulses. Second, no compromise will be allowed on the interests of Indian farmers, irrespective of international agreements.
Finalising the roadmap for the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission, the Union Minister dismissed apprehensions raised by the opposition and asserted that farmers’ interests remain fully safeguarded. He said the narrative that “the country and farmers have been sold” does not stand up to facts, adding that recent agreements will open new avenues for exports, employment and income growth while protecting sensitive agricultural sectors.
Thanks to the Prime Minister, Sharp Rebuttal to Opposition
Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan conveyed thanks to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on behalf of India’s farmers, stating that under his leadership, farmers’ interests have been fully protected. He said the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat requires a self-reliant India, and self-reliance in pulses is a key pillar of that goal.
He also countered opposition claims regarding international agreements, recalling that the Prime Minister had pledged not to let the country bow and to protect farmers at any cost—a commitment that, he said, has been fully honoured.
Centre–State Partnership to Drive the Mission
Congratulating the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav for declaring the year as ‘Farmers’ Welfare Year’, Shri Chouhan assured full support from the Union Government. He said each state will prepare state-specific roadmaps for the pulses mission, ensuring that the strategy is aligned with local needs and cropping patterns.
The day-long deliberations in Amlaha saw direct participation from progressive farmers, FPOs, seed companies and millers, with discussions expanding from pulses production to protein value addition and market integration.
Safeguards for Indian Agriculture and Dairy
Addressing farmers’ concerns, Shri Chouhan clearly stated that maize, wheat, rice, soybean, poultry products, milk, paneer, ethanol, tobacco and several sensitive vegetables will not be imported from the US or elsewhere under recent agreements. He stressed that India’s markets for these products are secure for Indian farmers, and national interests have been fully protected.
New Export Opportunities for Farmers and MSMEs
The Union Minister highlighted that the agreements will reduce duties on many Indian goods, opening new opportunities in textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, plastics, rubber products, chemicals, home décor, handicrafts and machinery. Duties on generic medicines, gems and jewellery, aircraft parts and several other items will fall to zero, strengthening Make in India.
In agriculture, basmati rice and spices are expected to gain significantly, especially benefiting farmers in Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Rising textile exports, he noted, will also support cotton farmers.
From Seed to Market: A Complete Value Chain Approach
Shri Chouhan underlined that the government’s focus is on the entire value chain—from seed to market. He assured that when production rises, the government will ensure farmers get fair prices.
Key measures announced include:
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Cluster-based farming model to organise farmers and boost productivity,
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Seed villages and localised seed distribution, with a clear message: “No seed will now be released from Delhi; seeds will be released among farmers in states”,
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₹10,000 per hectare support and seed kits for farmers adopting model farming, and
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Establishment of 1,000 pulse mills across the country, with ₹25 lakh subsidy per unit to promote local processing and value addition. Of these, 55 mills will be set up in Madhya Pradesh alone.
Research, Productivity and New Varieties
Referring to work at FLRP Amlaha, ICARDA and ICAR, Shri Chouhan said “war-level efforts” are underway to increase productivity of masoor, chickpea, urad, pigeon pea and moong, develop early-maturing varieties, produce improved seeds, and promote disease-free crops—all aimed at making pulses more profitable for farmers.
Inauguration of FLRP Campus: Bridging Research and Farmers
During the visit, Shri Chouhan also inaugurated a state-of-the-art FLRP campus, strengthening the link between agricultural research and farmers. The platform enabled direct dialogue between policymakers, scientists and cultivators, reinforcing the field-driven approach of the mission.
Conclusion
From Amlaha, the message was clear: India’s path to self-reliance in pulses is now firmly set. With a comprehensive strategy covering research, seeds, clusters, processing, MSP and markets, and with strong Centre–State coordination, the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission is poised to transform India from a major importer into a global exporter of pulses—while keeping farmers’ interests at the core. The Amlaha meet marks a significant milestone in building a strong, self-reliant and farmer-centric agricultural economy.
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Source: PIB
