UP plans to step up pulse production by 20%

Lucknow: To reduce dependence on import, state agriculture has fixed target of increasing pulses production by nearly 20% in the forthcoming Zayed, Kharif and Rabi seasons. During its recent review meeting chaired by agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi, it was decided that in the Zayed season (Feb and Mar), state govt will work towards increasing production of urad (black gram) and moong (green gram), while in Kharif (Jun to Sep), focus will be on arhar (pigeon pea), urad and moong. In Rabi (Oct to Mar), steps would be taken to increase production of matar (pea) and moong, said A K Pathak joint director agriculture.State target will expand area under pulses cultivation from 2.7 million hectares to 3 million hectares. UP produces 30 lakh tonnes pulses with average pulse productivity over 12 quintals per hectare, above the national average of 9.26 quintals per hectare.
UP ranked fourth in pulse production nationally in 2024-25, contributing 12% of India's total pulses output. Initiatives like Pulses Self-Reliance Mission, distribution of quality seeds (including free seed mini kits) and robust procurement (over 75,000 tonnes in 2024-25) are part of strategy to boost its production. Intercropping with sugarcane, expanded lentil cultivation in Rabi and boosting urad and moong acreage in Zayed are planned specifically.Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released Rs 125 crore to support pulses production in UP. India imports 15–20% of its annual pulses requirement to cover production shortfall. Boosting pulses production is critical for nutrition security, rural incomes and reducing trade deficits.