The government launched Pulse Mission as part of the Union Budget 2025 to increase production of tur (arhar) and urad (mash) and masoor pulses within the country. A six-year financial investment of Rs 1,000 crore supports this mission which will generate substantial changes in Punjab's agricultural domain. The mission represents an essential element for Punjab's agricultural development program and the Increasing value of Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Push for Diversification
Stretching back in history Punjab maintained its reputation as a wheat and paddy cultivation zone. The extensive cultivation of wheat and paddy crops has resulted in serious problems which involve excessive groundwater use and soil degradation and income declines and environmental deterioration. Agricultural diversification requires pulses as an ideal crop to handle current farming difficulties.
Irrespective of their season they need to be grown in Pulses require less water consumption compared to paddy cultivation. By establishing guaranteed procurement systems operated by NAFED and NCCF central agencies farmers would have motivation to allocate certain fields from paddy and wheat to sustainable pulse crops.
Addressing MSP Demand
Punjab farmers have been persistently asking for Minimum Support Price farms for all crops beyond wheat and paddy. Pulse purchases by central organizations announced for four years help resolve the demand situation. Farmers should grow pulses on their land because it eliminates market uncertainties as well as mercantile middleman interference.
Punjab farmers have radically reduced their pulse farming activities throughout recent years because the guaranteed Minimum Support Price system for wheat and paddy made other crops less worthwhile. Through the Pulse Mission farmers would receive sustainable market opportunities that enable them to plant various food crops.
Production of Pulses in Punjab
Punjab has shown a steady decreasing pattern in its proportion of total national pulse output since past decades. During the 1960s Punjab maintained 9.17 lakh hectares of pulses cultivation which yielded 7.26 lakh tonnes as a result. The recorded area for pulse cultivation decreased to only 23,000 hectares during 2023-24 mainly from summer moong fields which lie outside both Rabi and Kharif seasons. The cultivation area dedicated to pulses experienced an extreme reduction in Rabi season from 8.81 lakh hectares in the previous 1960s to only 4,000 hectares in present-day farming.
Through the Pulse Mission Punjab seeks to convert this negative trend by promoting pulse cultivation across the state. Agencies of central organizations along with guaranteed procurement will inspire farmers to expand their pulse farming activities for the development of Punjab's agricultural sector and sustainable pulse production.
Through its "Pulse Mission" the Budget demonstrates a solution for Punjab agricultural diversification and MSP demand resolution through addressing groundwater extraction problems and soil health challenges together with environmental deterioration and declines in farmer income. Farmers need to replace their water-intensive food crops with sustainable pulses according to this mission which will create a balanced resilient agriculture system in Punjab. The assured procurement system for pulses can satisfy the MSP requests for every crop and foster stable agricultural markets that decrease farmer reliance on wheat and paddy production.
What is Agricultural Diversification?
Cultivating several agricultural commodities and livestock enables farmers to reduce their reliance on one particular agricultural product and the process of cultivation of variety of crops that with livestock is termed as Agricultural diversification. Agroforestry with horticulture and fisheries as well as livestock operations merge into integrated farming systems which develop sustainable agricultural landscapes with better resilience. The agricultural practice optimizes resource use and strengthens farm productivity to secure food supplies and offers benefits for the economy and environment and for society.
Importance of Agricultural Diversification for Farmers
The primary advantage which farmers receive from agricultural diversification is stable income. Farmers who plant different crops and work with multiple pay sources can improve their economic stability. The practice of diversifying agricultural operations reduces financial risks that stem from market changes and crop losses together with weather-related challenges. When farmers endure a drought-related failure with their main crop they have alternative sources of revenue through their other crops or livestock.
The selection of different crops in farming operations improves both the quality and nutrient content of soil. Soil structure sustains through crop diversity because different plants need distinct nutrients while their roots perform differently in maintaining healthy soil and reducing nutrient depletion. Crop rotation serves as a diversification practice which helps lower pest counts and disease populations in soil to achieve healthier crops.
The practice of plantation diversity enables farmers to maximize their available resources. Farmers achieve operational efficiency together with sustainability by merging crops with livestock and additional farming elements. The combination of livestock and crop residues enables farmers to obtain sustainable benefits through fertilizers from manure and animal feed through crop residue. The combined usage of various crops allows farmers to decrease their dependency on commercially produced fertilizers and pesticides.
Importance of Agricultural Diversification for the Economy
Agricultural sectors that feature diverse production practices demonstrate better resistance to economic obstacles which impact their economic stability. Countries become more durable against price changes and market turbulence when they minimize their dependence on one particular product. Economic resilience becomes crucial for developing nations because their agricultural sector functions as one of their most important economic contributors.
Agricultural diversification establishes fresh occupational opportunities specifically for rural locations. The development of high-value crops combined with horticulture and livestock farming under diversification creates new income opportunities for farmers together with job opportunities throughout processing and marketing and distribution channels. Improved standards of living together with reduced rural poverty serve as benefits of this practice.
Farmers who increase their agricultural production range increase the opportunities for international exports. When nations develop production of multiple high-value agricultural products they expand export opportunities that boost their monetary earnings from products sold overseas. The result of this approach drives economic advances as well as enhances trade equilibrium.
Importance of Agricultural Diversification for Environment
Agricultural diversification works as a biodiversity conservation method with its support to various crop-cultivation along with integrated farming system. Different habitats which form due to agricultural diversity serve as biological homes for numerous plant and animal species which leads to better biodiversity and improved ecosystem functioning.
Multiple farming systems provide superior resistance against climate change effects through their diverse nature. Agricultural systems become stronger when producers cut down their reliance on one crop because this enables them to handle weather shifts and dangerous climate events. The combination of different crops in a farm generates superior soil health together with enhanced carbon sequestration capabilities which helps combat climate change effects.
Agricultural diversification allows sustainable resource management through optimal utilization of land and water and natural resources. The combination of multiple farming approaches helps farmers decrease their usage of hazardous chemicals and save water resources while enhancing soil health conditions. This environment-friendly farming system combines protection for the Earth and maintains agricultural farming systems for continuous use.
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India
NAFED stands as a fundamental organization that plays a vital role to support the agricultural market in India. NAFED started operations on October 2, 1958 as an organization dedicated to developing agricultural and forest resource trading throughout all parts of India. NAFED maintains its main office in New Delhi and operates through offices in Delhi and Mumbai and Chennai and Kolkata in addition to 28 zonal offices.
Objectives and Functions
NAFED exists to deliver higher economic gains to farmers through its work of establishing secure selling markets for their agricultural products. NAFED reaches these objectives through different price stabilization schemes and trade practice measures. NAFED serves as the primary governmental organization to carry out Operation Greens price stabilization operations while pursuing an income growth target of twice the original value for farmers. The Price Support Scheme (PSS) operates as part of the PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan) umbrella scheme through physical procurement of oilseeds pulses and copra that NAFED performs in joint cooperation with FCI and state governments.
Key Activities
NAFED carries out diverse activities which support both farmers along with the entire agricultural sector.
- The agriculture procurement and distribution program of NAFED involves acquiring agricultural commodities from farmers at MSP through its cooperative network. The scheme offers protections for farmers by establishing reasonable prices which support both market calmness and fair payment benefits for producers.
- Through its expansion activities NAFED works as a significant platform to boost agricultural product exports from India. NAFED enables agricultural product export of oilseeds pulses and spices outside India which helps stimulate foreign exchange earnings for the nation.
- NAFED manages retail establishments throughout the country which directly sell agricultural products to consumers. NAFD serves as a connection between growers and customers through its retail activities which leads to fresh produce delivery at affordable prices.
- Farmers receive different kinds of support from NAFED through delivery of educational programs and field-based technical guidance as well as programs which give them access to premium seeds and fertilizer resources. NAFED encourages both organic farm management techniques alongside responsible agricultural techniques that strengthen production outputs while preserving natural environments.
Achievements and Impact
Since its existence NAFED demonstrated substantial advancement in enhancing the agricultural sector of India. Through these efforts NAFED has established price stability and implemented fair trade processes as well as ensured reliable purchasing options for agricultural products. Through its initiative to support exports of agricultural products NAFED has boosted economic expansion across the nation. FAFED successfully performs an essential function by building up farmer incomes which boosts millions of Indian farmers' standard of living.
National Cooperative Consumers Federation
As a leading institution in consumer cooperatives NCCF of India delivers essential goods to the general population through innovative and historical concepts. The NCCF started its operations in 1965 to develop the cooperative movement while focusing on consumer advocacy throughout the nation.
Objectives and Functions
As an organization part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare the NCCF works to develop uninterrupted essential commodity supply systems. The organization reaches customers in all parts of India by establishing retail outlets that deliver premium products at cost-effective rates to every remote location. The organization operates through a complete selection of food items alongside home supplies education resources and healthcare solutions.
Features
The NCCF demonstrates its dedication to maintain equitable business practices as a vital organizational aspect. As a result of its direct procurement method which connects producers to consumers the NCCF delivers affordable prices to buyers while ensuring fair pay for suppliers. The model promotes economic momentum for local economies and tightens the connection between source producers and customer.
The NCCF runs social initiatives together with its commercial operations. The cooperative implements consumer awareness initiatives while running training programs and welfare project implementation to improve quality of life in underserved populations. Through its sustainable approach and ethical sourcing operations illustrates its commitment toward social responsibility.
The progress of the digital age has not stopped the National Consumer Cooperation Federation from advancing. The Federation adopted technological advancements by starting an e-commerce platform which broadens their customer base through online products and services accessibility. The NCCF demonstrates willingness to transform in pace with modern changes while maintaining faithfulness to its foundational principles through this adaptive posture.