Pulses yield to decline on fears of crop damage

Pulses yield in India is likely to decline this year on reports of crop damage in some pockets of major producing states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture show a gradual increase in India's pulses yield over the last few years due to adequate soil moisture and also good post harvest crop care. From the level of 691 kgs a ha in 2010-11, the yield has risen to 781 kgs / ha in 2013-14.

"But, the unseasonal rainfalls in the first week of March are likely to play a spoilsport for the growth momentum to continue. While there is no report of major crop damage so far this season, a marginal decline in average pulses yield cannot be ruled out," said Bimal Kothari, Vice Chairman, Indian Pulses & Grains Association (IPGA).

The Ministry of Agriculture has estimated India's pulses output to decline by over 4.36% at 18.43 million tonnes this year as compared to 19.5 million tonnes reported last year. During kharif season as well, overall pulses output reported 5.50 million tonnes for the year 2014-15 in the Second Advanced Estimates as compared to 5.99 million tonnes in the previous year.

"Chana prices gained marginally as crop damages in major growing states due to recent unseasonal rainfalls feared supply shortage. Domestic demand of chana is weak in local mandis as the quality availability is inferior," said Ajay Kedia, managing director of Kedia Commodity.

A recent study by the popular GGN Research showed India's chana output is estimated to remain 15% lower to 7.9 million tonnes as against 9 million tonnes in the previous year. Consequently, India's overall pulses import may rise upto 4 million tonnes this year.