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Gujarat Doubles Pulse Production in 6 Years, Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat

Gujarat has dramatically increased its pulse production, with output doubling from 10.58 lakh metric tonnes to 21.52 lakh metric tonnes over the past six years. This surge is attributed to expanded cultivation area, significant gains in productivity, and a focus on chickpea, which constitutes over 70% of the state's pulse basket. Key drivers include improved irrigation, attractive minimum support prices, and the adoption of high-yield seed varieties. This growth strengthens India's agricultural self-reliance and contributes directly to national food security objectives.

Key Points: Gujarat Pulse Production Doubles, Aiding Self-Reliance

  • Production doubled to 21.5 lakh MT
  • Cultivation area expanded by 60%
  • Chickpea dominates with over 70% share
  • Key drivers: irrigation, MSP, improved seeds
  • Reinforces Atmanirbhar Bharat goal
2 min read

Gujarat's stride towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat': Pulses production doubles in six years

Gujarat's pulse output hits 21.5 lakh MT, doubling in six years due to better irrigation, MSP hikes, and improved seeds, strengthening India's food security.

"Gujarat has emerged as one of India's leading pulse-producing states - Agriculture Report"

Gandhinagar, Jan 5

Gujarat has emerged as one of India's leading pulse-producing states, recording a sharp rise in output over the past six years and strengthening the country's push towards agricultural self-reliance.

Driven by better irrigation facilities, higher support prices and improved seed varieties, the state's annual pulse production has crossed 20 lakh metric tonnes, nearly double the levels recorded in 2019-20.

Data from the agriculture department shows that between 2019-20 and 2024-25, the area under pulse cultivation in Gujarat expanded from 9 lakh hectares to 14.39 lakh hectares.

During the same period, productivity increased significantly from 1,173 kg per hectare to 1,495 kg per hectare, reflecting improvements in farming practices and crop management.

As a result, total pulse production rose from 10.58 lakh metric tonnes to 21.52 lakh metric tonnes.

Chickpea continues to dominate Gujarat's pulse basket, accounting for more than 70 per cent of the state's total pulses output.

Chickpea production witnessed a steep rise from 6.36 lakh metric tonnes in 2019-20 to 15.63 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25.

Gujarat has also made notable gains in pigeon pea (tur/arhar) cultivation, with production increasing by around 45 per cent over the same period, from 2.10 lakh metric tonnes to 3.08 lakh metric tonnes.

Other pulses such as urad, moong and moth bean have also gained ground across different agro-climatic zones of the state.

In 2024-25, urad was cultivated over 1.14 lakh hectares with an output of around 90,000 metric tonnes, while moong covered 1.38 lakh hectares, yielding nearly 1.26 lakh metric tonnes.

Moth bean, suited to dry and semi-arid regions such as Kutch and parts of north Gujarat, along with other minor pulses, was grown over about 72,000 hectares, producing more than 64,000 metric tonnes.

Officials attribute this transformation to a combination of policy and infrastructure interventions.

Irrigation initiatives have ensured greater water availability for rabi and summer crops, encouraging farmers to diversify into pulses.

At the same time, increases in minimum support prices -- ranging between 11 and 31 per cent in recent years -- have made pulse cultivation economically attractive.

The adoption of improved seed varieties developed by state agricultural universities has further boosted yields.

The growing export potential of pulses from Gujarat has added another layer of incentive for farmers, leading to expansion in cultivated area as well as higher productivity.

Together, these factors have positioned pulses as a key growth driver in Gujarat's agricultural sector, reinforcing the state's contribution to India's food security and the broader goal of building an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great progress, but I hope this translates to stable prices for us consumers. Sometimes increased production doesn't mean lower prices at the local sabzi mandi. The focus on exports is good, but domestic supply and affordability must remain the priority.
V
Vikram M
Impressive numbers! The jump in chickpea (chana) production is especially significant. As someone from a farming family in Rajasthan, I know how crucial water and good seeds are. Gujarat's success with improved varieties in dry areas like Kutch is a lesson for all of us. đź‘Ź
S
Sarah B
Reading this from Canada. It's heartening to see India making strides in agricultural self-sufficiency. Pulses are a global superfood. If Gujarat can maintain quality, there's a huge international market waiting. More power to the farmers!
R
Rohit P
Atmanirbhar Bharat in action! This is how we reduce import dependence. Remember when dal prices were through the roof? Hope this trend continues across all major pulse-producing states. The MSP increase seems to have worked as a real incentive for farmers.
K
Kavya N
Wonderful to see data-driven progress. The increase in productivity per hectare is the real story here—it shows sustainable intensification. My only request to the authorities: please ensure the benefits reach the small and marginal farmers directly, not just the big ones.
M

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