New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- Earlier this month, the government launched a Rs.11,440 crore pulses mission with the goal to achieve self-sufficiency. This production push comes as imports soared to a record $5.5 billion in FY25. India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world. But how did farmers lose interest in legumes? Mint explains what's at stake.

Following an announcement in the Union budget in February, the Cabinet on 1 October approved the Mission for Atmanirbharta (self-sufficiency) in pulses. The scheme's duration is six years, from FY26 to FY31, with a financial allocation of Rs.11,440 crore.

The mission will have several components. It will help develop and propagate varieties with higher productivity that are pest-...