Archive · 30 Sep 2025
India Develops Early-Harvest Tur to Boost Pulse Production
India is working on new types of tur, also known as pigeon pea, a kind of bean.
These new beans will grow faster, taking about 140-150 days to mature, unlike the usual 170-180 days.
The goal is to grow more beans inside the country so India doesn't have to buy as many from other places.
This can make prices more stable and help farmers.
The government is also looking at new ways to help with the bean crop.
This includes special missions and new types of seeds.
The aim is to make sure there are enough beans for everyone and that farmers can make a good living.
India is developing early-maturing tur varieties to boost domestic pulse production.
These new tur varieties mature in 140–150 days, shorter than traditional crops.
The goal is to curb pulse imports, which reached a record high in 2024-25.
The initiative includes plans to expand tur cultivation in northern regions.
The government has approved procurement of pulses for the 2025-26 kharif season.
- Who
- India's government and agricultural research organizations
- What
- Developing early-maturing tur varieties to increase domestic pulse production and reduce imports.
- When
- The initiative is ongoing, with new varieties already developed and plans for broader implementation.
- Where
- Across India, especially in northern regions (Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan).
- Why
- To stabilize pulse prices, reduce import dependence, and support farmer livelihoods.
- Focus
- Developing short-duration, high-yielding tur varieties.
- Objective
- Reduce pulse import dependence and stabilize prices.
- Maturation Time (New Varieties)
- 140-150 days
- Maturation Time (Traditional)
- 170-180 days
- Main Pulse Imports
- Tur, urad, masoor, and chana
- Land Identified for Pulse Growing
- 2 million hectares