New Delhi: The Union government has issued an advisory to all states, encouraging them to realign their crop bonus policies to promote the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, and millets. The move is aimed at strengthening India’s long-term food and nutritional security while advancing the vision of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) and sustainable agriculture.
The advisory, sent by the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance, is not mandatory but suggestive in nature. It seeks to align state-level incentives with national priorities by encouraging a shift toward balanced and diversified cropping patterns.
Concern Over Skewed Cropping Patterns
The Centre has raised concerns that excessive bonuses offered by states on crops like wheat and paddy—beyond the Minimum Support Price (MSP)—have led to overproduction of these staples. This has reduced the cultivation area for pulses and oilseeds, resulting in increased import dependence, particularly for edible oils and pulses.
Additionally, the dominance of water- and fertilizer-intensive crops has contributed to environmental stress, including groundwater depletion and soil degradation, especially in northern regions of the country.
Push for Crop Diversification
The government’s strategy focuses on promoting crop diversification to build a more resilient agricultural system. Increasing the production of pulses, oilseeds, and millets is expected to reduce import reliance, stabilize domestic markets, and improve nutritional outcomes.
Officials believe that boosting domestic output of these crops will also help India manage global uncertainties such as price volatility and supply chain disruptions.
Signs of Progress
Recent data suggests that the shift towards diversification is gradually gaining momentum. India’s dependence on imported edible oils has declined from 63.2% in 2015–16 to 56.25% in 2023–24. Meanwhile, the area under oilseed cultivation has expanded by over 18%, production has increased by nearly 55%, and productivity has improved by around 31%.
These trends indicate steady progress toward achieving self-reliance in key agricultural commodities.
Key Government Initiatives
To support this transition, the Centre has launched several initiatives, including the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses and the National Mission on Edible Oils. These programmes aim to enhance seed quality, improve productivity, strengthen procurement systems, and develop robust agricultural value chains.
Farmer-focused schemes continue to play a crucial role. Under PM-KISAN, over 9 crore farmers receive ₹6,000 annually. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides insurance coverage to nearly 4 crore farmers against crop losses.
Other initiatives such as Soil Health Cards, the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, and the expansion of Mega Food Parks are aimed at improving productivity, storage, processing, and market access.
A Collaborative Approach
Government officials have emphasised that the advisory reflects a “constructive and positive approach” rather than a directive. States are being encouraged to work in coordination with the Centre to reduce monoculture, promote sustainable farming practices, and enhance farmer incomes.
Toward a Resilient Agricultural Future
As India faces challenges related to climate change, import dependence, and nutritional security, the push for diversified cropping marks a significant policy shift. By encouraging balanced agricultural practices, the Centre aims to build a more resilient, self-reliant, and sustainable food system for the future.
