Rajasthan, Guj lead India's estimated surge in pulses production

Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana have mainly contributed in the estimated increase of nearly 2 million tonnes of pulses in the country this year. 

According to Second Advance Estimates released by the Agriculture Ministry early this month, pulses production in the country is tipped to be 16.51 million tonnes in 2010-11 crop year (July-June), against 14.66 million tonnes in 2009-10. 

Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat are the major contributors to the increase, according to the state-wise data on pulse production presented by Minister of State for Agriculture Arun Yadav in Lok Sabha on February 22 last.  

Western state Rajasthan is heading towards over three-fold increase in pulse production this year at 2.52 million tonnes compared to 7,13,000 tonnes last year. 

Likewise, Haryana is also expected to nearly double its pulse cultivation to 1,84,000 tonnes from 1,00,000 tonnes last year. Gujarat will see a jump by 1,74,000 tonnes to 6,91,000 tonnes of the staple crop, the data said.

Production is likely to increase marginally in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Chhatissgarh. The output is, however, expected to see a dip in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam. 

Pulses production in the largest producing state of Madhya Pradesh is tipped to drop to 3.3 million tonnes, against 4.3 million tonnes last year, the data added.

Though India is the world's largest producer of pulses, the country has to import about 3-4 million tonnes of pulses to match the domestic demand of 19 million tonnes.    

Experts say that with a rise in about 2 million tonnes of pulse production, the country's volume of import would fall marginally.