Uttar Pradesh Intensifies Pulses and Oilseeds Campaign to Ensure Food Security
In an assertive step toward food price stability and self-sufficiency, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched an intensified campaign to boost the production of pulses and oilseeds, staples that play a crucial role in both nutrition and national economic stability. The move is part of a broader agricultural strategy by the double-engine government—led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the state—to reduce dependency on imports, control inflation, and empower farmers.
Why Pulses and Oilseeds Matter
With India’s population crossing 1.4 billion, the demand for food staples—especially pulses like moong, urad, and arhar, and oilseeds like groundnut and sesame—has surged. Even minor disruptions in supply chains can trigger price spikes, impacting both local and international markets.
Recognizing this vulnerability, the Uttar Pradesh government has increased efforts to ensure consistent supply through domestic cultivation. “Food security is directly tied to our economic stability and farmer prosperity,” an official from the UP Agriculture Department stated on Saturday. “Our mission is to make the state self-reliant in key staples.”
Minimum Support Price (MSP) Hikes Spur Growth
A critical part of this effort is the MSP revision for key Kharif crops. The central government has hiked MSPs significantly over the past decade. For instance:
- Groundnut saw an MSP increase of 81%
- Niger seed registered a 172% hike
These financial incentives have encouraged more farmers to diversify into high-demand crops like pulses and oilseeds, reducing reliance on traditional grains and increasing agricultural sustainability.
Free Minikits for Farmer Empowerment
To facilitate this transition, the Yogi Adityanath-led government has rolled out the largest-ever seed distribution program under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. A total of 4.58 lakh minikits are being distributed free of cost to progressive farmers across the state.
Breakdown of the minikit distribution includes:
- 1.05 lakh kits for pulses (urad, moong, arhar)
- 1 lakh kits for sesame (til)
- 6,000 kits for groundnut cultivation
These kits include high-yield seeds and guides on best cultivation practices, aimed at increasing productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
Special Missions and Schemes
Uttar Pradesh has also implemented targeted programs such as:
- Dalhan-Tilhan Mission: Focused on expanding land coverage under pulses and oilseeds
- Dalhan Gram Yojana: Village-level initiatives promoting pulse cultivation
- Integration of pulses into the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme to promote local agri-business and exports
These initiatives not only diversify local economies but also increase farmers’ income by linking them with larger markets.
Rapid Growth in Production
The government’s multi-pronged strategy is already delivering measurable outcomes. According to the latest state data:
- Oilseed production jumped from 12.40 lakh metric tonnes in 2016–17 to 20.31 lakh metric tonnes in 2023–24, reflecting a 128% increase
- Pulses production also witnessed a steady upward trajectory
The results underscore the effectiveness of the reforms and support programs rolled out over the past few years.
World Bank-Backed UP AGREES Project
Further enhancing this momentum is the UP AGREES project, an ambitious agri-development initiative implemented in collaboration with the World Bank. Focused particularly on Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions—traditionally underserved areas—the program aims to improve infrastructure, irrigation, and agri-value chains.
Through public-private partnerships, UP AGREES fosters innovation in crop selection, post-harvest management, and farmer training. This initiative complements the state’s broader goal of self-sufficiency and export-readiness in essential food crops.