Importing pulses is a matter of shame for us; now India will become an exporter of pulses: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

A new chapter in India’s pulses policy and farmer-centric agricultural discourse began today from the Food Legumes Research Centre (FLRP) in Amlaha, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh. The nationwide pulses revolution was launched under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The National Pulses Consultation and Strategy Meeting held here brought together on one platform Union Agriculture Minister Shri Chouhan, Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister, agriculture ministers from several states, top scientists, representatives from ICAR-ICARDA, progressive farmers, FPOs, seed and pulse mill representatives – and the message was clear: the roadmap for a self-reliant India in pulses will now be charted from the fields, not from the files in Delhi’s air-conditioned rooms.

Two major announcements on India’s pulses policy and farmers’ interests

On one hand, the roadmap for the ‘Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission’ was finalised from the Food Legumes Research Centre (FLRP) in Amlaha (Sehore), while on the other, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan dismissed opposition apprehensions and gave a clear message that importing pulses is a matter of shame for us; now India will become an exporter of pulses, and despite recent international agreements, not even the slightest impact will be allowed on the interests of Indian farmers.

Message of thanks to the Prime Minister from farmers; sharp attack on opposition

The Union Agriculture Minister clearly stated that the opposition’s narrative of “the country has been sold, farmers have been sold, farmers will be ruined” cannot hold up after today’s facts come to light. Shri Chouhan said that this is a historic and remarkable agreement that will open new doors for India’s progress and development, increase exports, create employment opportunities, and boost farmers’ incomes, as our spices will be exported, rice exports to these countries will increase, our dairy products are safe, and thus Indian farmers will greatly benefit.

Addressing the dais, the Union Minister said: “For this historic agreement, on behalf of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and India’s farmers – we all agriculture ministers standing here – we heartily congratulate him, welcome him, and thank him that under his leadership, our farmers’ interests have been fully safeguarded. Every farmer in India is today congratulating and thanking Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, and we are all grateful to him for protecting farmers’ interests. Thank you very much, Prime Minister ji, for safeguarding farmers’ interests.

Roar for National Self-Reliance in Pulses mission from Amlaha

In the national meeting of the ‘Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission’, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh said you can understand that the whole of India has gathered in Amlaha today. Shri Shivraj Singh said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s resolve is that for a developed India (Viksit Bharat), a self-reliant India is essential, and in that direction, self-reliance in pulses is a major goal. Prime Minister ji’s resolve is that India should become self-reliant in pulses too; we will not import pulses from outside, but tomorrow we will reach a stage where we export pulses. For this, he has launched the ‘Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission’. The national meeting of that mission is being held here today.

Confidence in Centre-State partnership

Congratulating the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister for declaring this year as ‘Farmers’ Welfare Year’, Shri Chouhan said that the Government of India will fully cooperate with the Madhya Pradesh government in this decision, step by step, shoulder to shoulder, so that farmers’ incomes can increase in the state, crop production can rise, and new value addition opportunities can be created. He also said that agriculture ministers of all states will together prepare separate roadmaps in their respective states, so that the pulses mission can be advanced according to the needs of each state.

Attack on opposition: “Farmers will be ruined” rumors proven false

Commenting on the political debate over the India-US agreement, Union Minister Shivraj Singh cornered the opposition in strong words. He said our opposition was creating a hue and cry that an agreement with America would ruin and destroy Indian farmers. He reminded that it is the same Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had said “I will not let the country bow” and also that no matter what price has to be paid, farmers’ interests will be protected. The recent agreement with the USA, preceded by those with 27 countries of the European Union and earlier FTAs, has shown today that the country’s and farmers’ interests have been fully safeguarded.

Clear safeguards for agriculture and dairy: “These products will not come from America”

Addressing farmers’ main concerns, Union Minister Shri Chouhan said he would only speak from the farmers’ side. Our major grains like maize – there was a huge uproar that it would come – it absolutely will not. Maize, wheat, rice, soybean, poultry, milk, paneer, ethanol, tobacco, many vegetables, and several other agricultural and dairy products have been completely safeguarded. He emphasised that India’s market for these products is secure for Indian farmers; neither maize, nor wheat, nor rice, nor soy, nor poultry products, nor milk, nor paneer, nor ethanol, nor tobacco, nor many sensitive vegetables will come from America. He stressed that they will not come from America; India’s interests have been fully protected.

New export opportunities: Boost for basmati, spices, and textiles

Shri Chouhan said this agreement will benefit other sectors of the country as well, especially our exporters, MSMEs, and youth. He stated that the traditional duties on Indian goods will reduce to nearly 18 per cent, opening vast markets and opportunities in textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, plastics, rubber products, organic chemicals, home decor, handicrafts, and select machinery. He noted that duties on generic medicines, gems, jewelry, aircraft parts, and many other items will reduce to zero, strengthening India’s export competitiveness and ‘Make in India’.

In the agricultural context, he said basmati rice and spices will gain special benefits; new opportunities will open in 18% tariff markets for basmati growers in Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. He mentioned that previously exports were around ₹63,000 crore, which is expected to increase further, and rising textile exports will also benefit cotton-producing farmers.

Firm message on pulses: “Importing pulses from abroad is not joy, but shame”

On the pulses situation, Shri Chouhan clearly said that importing pulses is not a matter of pride for India. He stated that the Prime Minister has decided that “pulses production must increase. Currently, we have to import pulses from abroad… if we have to import pulses from foreign countries, it is not a matter of joy for us, but shame.”

Congratulating farmers of Madhya Pradesh, he said M.P. is still number one in pulses production in the country, but cautioned that the area under pulses is declining, which needs to be increased. He acknowledged that farmers grow the crop that gives more profit – wheat if profitable, chickpeas if that – so emphasis is being laid on increasing both productivity and profitability of pulse crops.

”We will ensure farmers get fair prices”

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government’s focus is on the entire arrangement from seed to market. “When there is good production, farmers get fair prices – we will ensure this,” he said. Shri Chouhan informed that pulse mills will be encouraged at the cluster level, with the Government of India providing up to ₹25 lakh subsidy for setting them up, so that where pulses are produced, processing and sale happen there, and farmers directly benefit from value addition. Shri Chouhan said under this mission, 1,000 pulse mills will be opened across the country, of which 55 will be established in different clusters of Madhya Pradesh, benefiting the state’s farmers specially and creating new local employment opportunities.

No seed will now be released from Delhi

Mentioning the new seed reform and distribution system, the Union Minister said we are making a decision – no seed will now be released from Delhi; seeds will be released in different states among farmers. He stated that farming will be strengthened through the cluster model, production will be increased by organising farmers, and every farmer will get full support. Farmers joining clusters will receive seed kits and ₹10,000 assistance per hectare for model farming, so that with good seeds, better technology, and adequate financial support, pulses production can reach new heights.

Referring to the research work at the Amlaha institute, ICARDA, and ICAR, he said war-level efforts are underway to increase productivity of masoor, chickpeas, urad, pigeon pea, moong, etc., develop early-maturing varieties, produce improved seeds, and grow disease-free crops, so that farmers profit more from growing pulses.

Message from Amlaha – “Farmers’ interests secure, path paved for pulses self-reliance”

Through this national meeting in Amlaha,  Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave two clear political-policy messages – first, despite international agreements, no impact will be allowed on Indian farmers’ interests; second, self-reliance in pulses will not remain just a slogan but will be implemented on the ground through scientific research, policy, MSP, seed reforms, and markets. The Union Minister said the opposition’s fear-mongering campaign has weakened before facts, and the country’s farmers see that India is advancing while protecting their interests. With this message from Amlaha, the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission will now accelerate, and this meeting will prove a significant milestone in making India self-reliant and strong in pulse.