Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said importing pulses was not a matter of pride but of shame for India, adding that the country should aim at becoming the world’s largest pulse exporter.”India must become self-reliant in pulses, stop importing them, and reach a stage where pulses are exported. The Pulse Self-Reliance Mission has been created to achieve this goal. Importing pulses is not a matter of pride but of shame for India. Under this mission, all states will develop customised roadmaps in their respective regions to advance the pulse mission based on local requirements,” he said.”Pulse self-reliance will be implemented on the ground through science, policy, MSP (minimum support price), seed reform, and market support,” he said. The minister was speaking after launching the nationwide pulse revolution at Sehore region in Madhya Pradesh. Agriculture ministers of all states were also present at the programme. “Another important announcement today is that seeds will now not be released in Delhi, but in states among farmer themselves. Under the cluster model, farmers will receive seed kits and Rs 10,000 per hectare support for model cultivation,” he added.On the controversial India-US trade deal, the agriculture minister clarified that maize, wheat, rice, soybean, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol, tobacco, and many vegetables are fully protected. “These products will not be imported from the US, and India’s market remains secure for Indian farmers,” he noted. Chouhan said traditional US tariffs on Indian goods would reduce to about 18 per cent, opening massive opportunities for textiles, garments, leather, footwear, plastics, rubber products, organic chemicals, home décor, handicrafts and machinery. Tariffs on generic medicines, gems and jewelry, aircraft parts and several other goods would be reduced to zero, strengthening Make in India and export competitiveness, he added.”In agriculture, basmati rice and spices will benefit significantly, opening new markets for farmers in Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. Textile exports will also benefit cotton farmers,” he added.The Union Minister emphasised that the government was focusing on the entire chain from seed to market.”To ensure value addition, cluster-level dal (pulses) mills will be promoted with up to Rs 25 lakh subsidy per mill. Under the mission, 1,000 dal mills will be established nationwide, including 55 in Madhya Pradesh, creating employment and benefiting local farmers,” he said. In another announcement, no seed will be released in Delhi anymore. “Seeds will now be released in states among farmers themselves. Under the cluster model, farmers will receive seed kits and Rs 10,000 per hectare support for model cultivation,” he said.Chouhan also highlighted ongoing ICAR and ICARDA research on improving productivity, early-maturing varieties, disease-free crops, and better seeds for lentils, chickpeas, urad, moong, and other pulses.