To celebrate the importance of pulses, the United Nations has been observing World Pulses Day on February 10 since 2018 through the FAO. This year’s theme is ‘Pulses: Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems,’ which underscores the vital role of pulses in promoting diversity—both above and below the ground.”
Notably, The government has announced an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for a six-year initiative called the “Pulse Mission,” aimed at boosting pulse production to achieve self-sufficiency. On the occasion of World Pulses Day, let’s know about the pulses covered under the mission from a broader perspective.
The initiative will focus on three types of pulses: tur (arhar), urad (mash), and masoor. It will involve central agencies such as NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) procuring these pulses over the next four years from farmers who register with such agencies.
1. Pigeonpea, also known as arhar/tur, is one of the oldest crops in India. It is the second most important pulse after gram. People mainly eat it as split pulses called ‘dal.’
2. It is predominantly a crop of tropical areas, mainly cultivated in the semi-arid regions of India. It can be grown at temperatures ranging from 26°C to 30°C during the rainy season (June to October) and 17°C to 22°C in the post-rainy season (November to March).
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3. Pigeonpea grows well in black cotton soils because these soils retain moisture, which benefits the crop during dry spells. It can also thrive in loamy and well-drained alluvial soils.
4. Pigeonpea is highly sensitive to low solar radiation during pod development; hence, flowering during the monsoon or cloudy weather often results in poor pod formation.
5. The major diseases that affect pigeonpea include wilt, sterility mosaic disease, Phytophthora blight, Alternaria blight, and powdery mildew.
6. Major Producing States: According to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research website, In India. Uttar Pradesh state is the leading producer (0.47 million tonnes from 0.49 million ha. with a productivity of 944 kg./ ha.) contributing to 34.87% of the national production. It is followed by Madhya Pradesh (34.55% of national production), West Bengal (10.53%), Bihar (8.84%) and Jharkhand (4.53 %) states with respect to their contribution in the national production of pigeon pea, as per the Fourth advanced estimates, DES, MoAF&W, 2022.
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7. Mozambique is one of the top exporters of pigeonpea (tur/arhar) to India. During 2023-24, India imported 7.71 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon pea, of which one-third (2.64 lakh tons) came from Mozambique. Notably, Mozambique had entered into an MoU with India to supply 2 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon peas till 2025-26. As per the pact, India provides assured market access to Mozambique. A similar MoU has been signed with Malawi for supply of 0.50 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon Pea to India annually.
Nutritive value of Pigeonpea (Tur/Arhar)
Pigeonpea is a rich source of protein and carbohydrates, making it an important part of a balanced diet. It also provides essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron, supporting bone health and overall well-being. Its low-fat content and high calorific value make it both nutritious and energy-dense
Climatic and Soil Requirement for urad (mash) Cultivation
1. Black gram, also known as urad, is one of the important pulse crops grown throughout India. It is consumed in the form of ‘dal’ or perched.
2. Urad is a tropical crop that grows best in a hot and humid climate. It is mainly a warm-weather crop. In northern India, where winters are cold, it is usually grown during the rainy and summer seasons. In eastern states, it is also grown in winter. In central and southern India, where the climate is more stable, urad is cultivated during both the winter and rainy seasons.
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3. Urad can be grown on a variety of soils, ranging from sandy soils to heavy cotton soils. The most ideal soil is well-drained loam with a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. However, it cannot be grown on alkaline or saline soils. Notably, it fixes atmospheric N (42 kg/ha/year) to the soil through symbiosis and improves fertility of soil.
4. According to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research website, India is the largest producer and consumer of urdbean. Urdbean production contributes 11% to India’s total pulse production, which was 25.46 million tonnes in 2020–21, according to the Agricultural Statistics Division, DES, MoAF&W (2022).
5. The major diseases that affect urad include yellow mosaic virus, powdery mildew, and leaf blight.
6. Major Producing States: According to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research website, in the case of area, the share of Madhya Pradesh is highest (24 %), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 %) and Maharashtra (7%) during 2020-21. Among the major producing states, productivity was highest in Andhra Pradesh (915 kg/ha), followed by Jharkhand (879 kg/ha) during 2020-21.
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Nutritive value of Urad
Urad is a rich source of protein and carbohydrates, making it highly nutritious. It is also packed with essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron, which support bone health and improve hemoglobin levels. Its high calorific value makes it an excellent energy source, while the low-fat content adds to its health benefits.
Climatic and Soil Requirement for masoor (Lentils) Cultivation
1. Lentil is the most important rabi pulse after chickpea. In India, it is mostly eaten as ‘dal’ after removing the outer skin and splitting the seeds. It is easy to cook, easily digestible, and has a high nutritional value.
2. Lentil needs a cold climate during its vegetative growth and a warm climate at maturity. Its optimal growth temperature is between 18°C and 30°C. Lentil is a hardy crop that can tolerate frost and severe winters to a large extent.
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3. Well drained, loam soils with neutral reaction are best for lentil cultivation.
4. The major diseases that affect lentil are Stemphylium blight, wilt, and seedling mortality.
5. Major Producing States: Lentil is the main legume crop grown in the rice fallow areas of eastern India and is also cultivated in central India. According to the fourth advanced estimate by DES, MoAF&W (2022), Uttar Pradesh is the largest lentil-producing state, contributing 36.43% of India’s total production. It is followed by Madhya Pradesh with 34.55% (0.44 million tonnes from 0.49 million hectares), West Bengal (10.53%), Bihar (8.84%), and Jharkhand (4.50%).
Nutritive value of Lentils
Lentils are rich in carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, folate, thiamine, vitamins, minerals, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, and other essential nutrients and used widely in the processing sector (unhusked seeds, split cotyledon dahl, savouries etc.)
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BEYOND THE NUGGET: Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)
1. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2025 announced several new initiatives for the agriculture sector including the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY).
2. PMDDKY scheme aims to increase agricultural productivity, adopt crop diversification and sustainable agriculture practices, improve post-harvest storage after harvest at the panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation facilities, and provide short-term and long-term credit.
3. It will be implemented in collaboration with states, across 100 districts in its first phase.
(Source: dpd.gov.in, Budget announcement: Why aatmanirbharta in pulses is a challenge, ,iipr.icar.gov.in, Import of tur dal from Mozambique resumes after MEA’s intervention, UPSC Issue at a Glance | Facts, figures, and analysis of the 4 engines driving the Union Budget 2025)
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