Gandhinagar: World Pulses Day will be observed globally on February 10 to promote pulse cultivation, productivity, and nutritional awareness. As the world’s largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses, India has launched the Pulse Self-Reliance Mission. Gujarat has emerged as a key contributor to this mission, recording notable gains in pulse productivity, cultivation area, and exports, the Gujarat government said.

As per official data, between 2021–22 and 2023–24, Gujarat reported an average tur productivity of 1,199 kg per hectare and gram productivity of 1,795 kg per hectare. In 2023–24, the state secured the top national position in gram productivity with 1,714 kg per hectare. Major pulses cultivated in the state include gram, moong, urad, math, tur, and peas.

Export performance has also strengthened. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Gujarat exported 74,652.82 metric tonnes of pulses worth approximately $69.98 million (around ₹581 crore) during April–November 2025–26.

Over the past five years, pulse cultivation in Gujarat has expanded significantly. The total area under pulses increased from 6.62 lakh hectares in 2018–19 to 10.89 lakh hectares in 2023–24, while production rose from 6.79 lakh metric tonnes to 15.51 lakh metric tonnes. Gram cultivation witnessed particularly sharp growth, with the cultivated area expanding from 1.73 lakh hectares to 6.22 lakh hectares and production rising from 2.35 lakh metric tonnes to 10.66 lakh metric tonnes during the same period.

Government initiatives promoting self-reliance in pulses, especially gram, tur, and urad, have supported this expansion through the supply of certified seeds, subsidies, field demonstrations, and farmer training. The Seed Replacement Rate Scheme has further ensured access to quality seeds to improve yields, the press note stated.

Farmers are also increasingly adopting modern agricultural practices, including mechanization, hybrid seed varieties, drone-based spraying of fertilizers and pesticides, and seed hardening techniques. Efficient irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler methods, along with organic inputs, mixed cropping, and intercropping, are improving resource utilization and productivity. The use of mechanized equipment such as threshers, combine harvesters, tractors, and graders has reduced labour requirements and enhanced operational efficiency, while integrated, natural, and organic farming approaches continue to support higher pulse production across the state. DeshGujarat