"Achieving self-reliance in pulse production requires a multi-pronged approach"

The United Nations General Assembly has designated February 10 as World Pulses Day to recognise the importance of pulse crops like chickpeas, dry beans and lentils as a global food.

- Narayan Kulkarni

The day is crucial to raising awareness about the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production to enhance food security and nutrition. In 2025, the theme for World Pulses Day is "Pulses: Bringing diversity to agrifood systems" while the slogan is "Love pulses for a healthy diet and planet". This year's theme will underscore the vital role of pulses in promoting diversity – both above and below the ground. With low yields, India being the largest producer of pulses imports large quantities of pulses to fulfil its local needs. In this regard, AgroSpectrum spoke to Rajavelu N K, CEO, Crop Protection Business, Godrej Agrovet Ltd about how to achieve 'Aatmanirbharta in Pulses' and other issues. Edited excerpts:

What are the key factors contributing to India's low pulse yields despite having the largest cultivation area globally?

Despite being the world's largest producer of pulses with extensive cultivation area, India's yield per hectare remains significantly lower than global standards. This paradox stems from multiple interconnected challenges in our agricultural ecosystem. Traditional farming practices, predominantly reliant on rainfed agriculture, continue to dominate pulse cultivation, limiting the potential for higher yields. The situation is further complicated by the fact that pulses are typically grown in marginal lands with poor soil fertility and erratic rainfall patterns, making them vulnerable to climate variations.