New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- Aimed at diversifying crops and attaining self-reliance or Atmanirbharta, the government is set to launch a six-year pulses mission, with a particular focus on tur, urad, and masoor.

India is a large consumer and grower of pulses and it meets a portion of its consumption needs through imports.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Budget for 2025-26, said her government will now launch a six-year "Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses" with a special in those three varieties of pulses.

"Central agencies (NAFED and NCCF) will be ready to procure these three pulses, as much as offered during the next four years from farmers who register with these agencies and enter into agreements," the finance minister...