Centre Raises Pulse Seed Subsidy Up to 100% Following Maharashtra Request

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has substantially increased the subsidy on certified pulse seeds under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, offering up to 100 per cent financial assistance to farmers. The revision, announced on August 28, 2026, in Mumbai, follows representations made by Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne.

Under the revised guidelines, certified seeds of tur, urad, and lentil varieties released within the last five years will receive a 100 per cent subsidy on seed costs, subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs 12,000 per quintal. For certified seeds of gram and other pulses released within the last five years, the subsidy has been fixed at 75 per cent or a maximum of Rs 6,000 per quintal, whichever is lower.

Under the earlier subsidy structure, certified seeds of pulses other than gram received a 50 per cent subsidy up to Rs 6,000 per quintal, while the maximum subsidy available for gram was Rs 4,000 per quintal.

The Central government has also enhanced financial assistance for pulse varieties that are more than five years but less than 10 years old. Farmers cultivating these varieties of tur, urad, and lentil will now receive a 75 per cent subsidy, capped at Rs 9,000 per quintal, up from the earlier limit of Rs 3,000 per quintal. For older varieties of gram and other pulses, the subsidy has been increased to 50 per cent or up to Rs 4,000 per quintal, compared to the previous assistance of Rs 2,000 per quintal.

Additionally, the updated framework introduces an assistance of Rs 30 per hectare for the 'Krishi Mapper' under the flexi component of the scheme. The revised provisions take effect from August 28, 2026, under the guidelines for the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses covering the 2026-27 to 2030-31 period.

Minister Bharne had previously written to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 8, urging the Centre to increase the subsidy from 50 per cent to 100 per cent. Bharne pointed out that higher out-of-pocket costs under the older subsidy rates discouraged farmers from adopting certified seeds.

Bharne stated that increasing the use of quality certified seeds would help raise the seed replacement rate, improve crop productivity, and expand overall pulse production in Maharashtra. He encouraged farmers sowing gram during the upcoming rabi season to utilize the enhanced subsidy.