Diversify agriculture and encourage farmers to grow pulses, Supreme Court tells government

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has asked the Union government to promote crop diversification and encourage farmers to cultivate pulses instead of relying heavily on wheat and paddy, stressing the need for a more balanced and sustainable agricultural policy in the country.

A bench of the court made the observations while hearing a petition filed by farmers’ group Kisan Mahapanchayat regarding issues affecting domestic pulse growers. The court suggested that the Centre hold consultations with stakeholders and experts to develop a policy framework that incentivises farmers to shift towards pulses and other alternative crops.

The judges pointed out that India has long focused on large-scale production of wheat and rice, particularly in northern states, but this approach may need to be reconsidered. According to the court, excessive cultivation of water-intensive crops like paddy has contributed to serious groundwater depletion in several regions. Pulses, which require comparatively less water and improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, could provide a sustainable alternative.

The court also highlighted the importance of offering adequate incentives to farmers, including remunerative Minimum Support Prices (MSP), timely procurement, and reliable markets to make pulse cultivation economically viable. It observed that policy decisions such as imports of yellow peas should be reviewed to ensure they do not adversely affect domestic pulse farmers.

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Further, the bench emphasised the need for better coordination among various ministries, including agriculture and consumer affairs, to effectively implement crop diversification strategies.

The Supreme Court directed the government to convene stakeholder discussions and submit the outcomes before the court at the next hearing, scheduled for May 8, 2026.

The court’s remarks highlight the growing policy push to diversify Indian agriculture, enhance sustainability, and strengthen the country’s self-reliance in pulses.

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