The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has unveiled a comprehensive five-year national research initiative backed by a financial outlay of Rs 82 crore to boost crop yields and enhance the quality of pulses across India. Under this mission, 20 premier agricultural institutes nationwide have been selected to conduct intensive research over the next five years. Out of the total sanction, Rs 72 crore has been earmarked directly for core scientific research, while Rs 10 crore will be utilized for high-grade seed preparation and scaling up distribution networks. The Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has secured an allocation of Rs 6 crore to lead specialized research components under this program.
High-Yielding Seed Mission and Core Objectives
Under ICAR's 'Mission on High Yielding Seeds', scientific investigations will focus on major pulse crops including Arhar (pigeon pea), Chana (chickpea), Moong, Urad, and Masoor (lentil). Researchers will concentrate on developing crop varieties capable of delivering significantly higher yields while exhibiting strong resilience against climate fluctuations, extreme weather events, pest attacks, and plant diseases. Furthermore, special emphasis is being placed on breeding short-duration varieties that mature faster, helping farmers lower operational expenditure and enhance seasonal crop productivity.
Dr. DK Yadav, Deputy Director General at ICAR, stated that the fundamental objective of this mission is to supply farmers with superior seed options that boost field productivity and translate into direct financial gains. He added that a structured rollout plan has been devised to ensure that newly developed seeds reach farming communities swiftly following field trial completions.
Bio-Fortification: Enriching Pulse Crops with Vital Minerals
Research at IIPR Kanpur will place heavy emphasis on boosting the nutritional profile of pulse crops. Scientists at the institute will work on natural bio-fortification techniques to elevate concentrations of essential minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium alongside inherent protein levels in Arhar, Moong, Urad, and Chana. This bio-fortification drive aims to transform pulses from standard protein sources into comprehensive nutritional foods capable of addressing micronutrient deficiencies across the population.
Dr. GP Dixit, Director of IIPR Kanpur, highlighted that the institute's target over the next five years is to release multiple robust varieties engineered for high yield, disease resistance, and weather tolerance. He noted that once field testing and safety validations conclude, full-scale multiplication and distribution of seeds will begin.
Financial Incentives and Centers of Excellence
To incentivize scientific breakthroughs and foster institutional excellence, ICAR has structured an attractive financial reward framework. According to Dr. DK Yadav, institutes successfully producing breeder seeds will receive a grant of Rs 2.5 lakh, while those breeding high-performing hybrid varieties will be awarded Rs 5 lakh.
Additionally, the initiative incorporates plans to establish 'Centers of Excellence' across two to three designated locations nationwide. Historical agricultural datasets maintained by various institutes will also be updated and digitized, enabling scientists to leverage historical research data effectively when breeding new crop varieties.
Pulse Production Trends and Growth Trajectory
Historical statistics released by IIPR indicate that domestic pulse output experienced noticeable shifts in recent years. India produced 273.02 lakh tonnes of pulses during 2021-22, which dipped to 260.58 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 and further dropped to 242.26 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.
However, output registered a strong recovery subsequently. Production rose to 256.83 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 and reached 274.09 lakh tonnes in 2025-26. With the introduction of high-yielding, climate-resilient seed varieties under this Rs 82 crore research push, agricultural authorities aim to sustain this growth momentum and ensure long-term profitability for pulse growers nationwide.
