Kharif Crop Survey 1: Bumper pulses output likely this year

Sowing acreage is estimated to be higher and crop estimates more optimistic in kharif season, but govt estimates often vary from what market participants claim

India’s pulses output is likely to surpass previous records and  also the government’s earlier estimate, at 20–21.5 million tonnes this crop year (July 2016–June 2017). This follows a surge in sowing on near-normal monsoon rain and its extensive spread, according to a survey of all stakeholders in the kharif season. Also, farmers were motivated to go for more of pulses as prices had hit a record during the year across varieties.
 
This should help limit the import (the country consumes 22 mt in a year).
 
While the kharif season is likely to set a new bumper level of 8.5-9.5 mt, against the government estimate of 8.7 mt, farmers seem likely to bring more area under chickpea (chana) during the ensuing rabi sowing. Conservative estimates suggest output at 11.5–12.5 mt during the rabi season, driven by chana. In some areas, moong (green gram) prices have fallen below the government's Minimum Support Price but state agencies have stepped in and farmers have sown more.
 
Thus, India seems to be heading for record output this year despite reports of moong and urad crop damage on excess rain during breeding and pollination periods in the major producing states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. “Loss from the moong crop damage will not only be compensated by a significant increase in acreage and yield from tur (pigeon pea) but also ramp up overall pulses output,” said Motiram Wadhwani, President, Madhya Pradesh Pulses Traders Association.
 
“The tur crop is very big this year," confirmed Bimal Kothari, managing director, Pancham International, a city–based importer.
 
Those whom Business Standard surveyed were giving a rosy picture of the crop. Tur output seems set to surpass the benchmark of 4.5-4.6 mt.
 
Babulal Goyal, president, Rajasthan Dal Mill Association, estimated a five to seven per cent crop damage across moong and urad.
 
The ministry of agriculture had forecast import at 4.7 mt for 2016-17, as against 5.8 mt the previous year.
 

“Rabi sowing is yet to start but both sowing area and production would certainly be higher this year,” said Pravin Dongre, president, India Pulses and Grains Association. He, however, estimates import of 6–6.5 mt in 2016-17, though some dispute this, if the crop is in line with optimistic estimates.
 
“Late season rain has left sufficient soil moisture in the field for sowing chana. So, looking at the price movement  last season, farmers are very enthusiastic for chana, it involving less input and more yield among all pulses,” said Wadhwani.