SURGE in PULSES Yields
-----------------------------
Total pulses yield has surged at 5.2% pa in the 3 years to 2017-18; in contrast, it had improved by 2.1% pa from 2000 to 2014. All pulses except Mung beans have shown impressive growth in the last 4 - 5 years. Most impressive yield growths are of Lentils (12.7% pa), Tur (6.0% pa) and Gram (5.3% pa). Urad improved by 4.0% pa from 2013-18.
Yields of Gram (1.06 t/ha), Lentils (1.0 t/ha) and Tur (0.94 t/ha) have reached, or are close to 1.0 tonne per hectare. Total pulses yield (0.88 t/ha) has closely tracked Gram yield and may reach 1.0 t/ha by 2022-23. Total pulses have been pulled down by low yields of Urad and Mung beans. While Urad has been a star performer over 37 years (growing at 1.78% pa and beaten only by the late surge in lentils), Mung beans yields have fluctuated and hardly grown at 0.47% pa. Urad yields increased from 0.34 to 0.65 t/ha (in 37 years). Mung beans yields increased from 0.35 t/ ha to a high of 0.51 t/ha in 2011 and then fell to 0.47- 0.50 t/ha in recent years.
Way forward to 2030
---------------------
Issues affecting pulse farming
1. Two major issues have emerged with respect to pulses production in the country. First, the limited genetic potential for high yields and second their vulnerability to pests and diseases.
2. Yield potential of the pulses has been rather low. Newer varieties of pulses need to be developed so that the crop cycle fits well into cropping systems that the farmers adopt. Another important issue is limited mechanization potential, especially for planting and harvesting of the crop. Suitable plant types need to be developed for mechanical harvesting with pods above the canopy and sturdier plants.
3. Due to the high protein content in pulses, the crop is highly vulnerable to pests and diseases. It is estimated that about 30% of pulses crops are lost on account of pest attacks every year. (Attack by pod borer and pod fly is so severe that the entire standing crop is devastated). Research needs to prioritise modern biotechnological tools for developing pest-resistant varieties of pulses.
4. Weeds are another problematic area. Manual weeding appears difficult in future, therefore the development of herbicide-tolerant pulses, as well as varieties suitable for mechanical harvesting, are necessary to minimise the labour-intensive farming.
5. A peculiar problem for Indo-Gangetic plains is the menace of large scale grazing by blue bulls, a nationally protected species. There is a huge potential for bringing innovative solutions, and to promote more intensive use of production technologies.
Making pulse farming more rewarding
Given the importance of pulses in the Indian diet, their availability needs to be increased indigenously. Govt has put together a number of initiatives to increase the acreage of pulses and bring self-sufficiency.
1. Govt has emphasised on research for developing biotic-stress resistant (ie. pest tolerant) and stress-tolerant (ie. weather hardy) varieties. It is possible to improve pulses productivity 2 to 3 times through available varieties and planting technologies, as is well documented in scientific experiments. For example, the use of drip irrigation in pigeon pea and agronomic practices like transplantation and nipping of branches are showing very encouraging results.
2. Aggressive promotion of available technologies under the cluster front line demonstration has been taken up. It has sought to fit pulses in the overall cropping system that farmers take during the year.
3. Govt has encouraged public-private initiatives for better logistics and handling of pulses (ie. post-harvesting activities).
4. Govt significantly increased the Minimum Support Price of the pulses and strengthened pulses procurement. In fact, MSP has been doubled in the last three year -- with a quantum jump given during Kharif 2018, with an increase of more than 150% of the cost of production.
5. Our import & export policies are now designed so that Indian farmers continue to get a good return for their produce; that crop forecasting is much improved so that price is not distorted. We can also better plan and manage the supply chain.
With better yields through the development of pest and disease resistant varieties, lessons learnt from the exchange of knowledge, increased MSPs and marketing support, the Indian farmer will definitely adopt pulse based cropping systems to produce more pulses with increased acreage
Focus on individual pulses crop groups
http://farmer.gov.in/SucessReport2018-19.pdf pg 121 - 131
Note: deemed area method used for total pulses yield & aggregate yields in the first diagram.
Total pulses yield has surged at 5.2% pa in the 3 years to 2017-18; in contrast, it had improved by 2.1% pa from 2000 to 2014. All pulses except Mung beans have shown impressive growth in the last 4 - 5 years. Most impressive yield growths are of Lentils (12.7% pa), Tur (6.0% pa) and Gram (5.3% pa). Urad improved by 4.0% pa from 2013-18.
Yields of Gram (1.06 t/ha), Lentils (1.0 t/ha) and Tur (0.94 t/ha) have reached, or are close to 1.0 tonne per hectare. Total pulses yield (0.88 t/ha) has closely tracked Gram yield and may reach 1.0 t/ha by 2022-23. Total pulses have been pulled down by low yields of Urad and Mung beans. While Urad has been a star performer over 37 years (growing at 1.78% pa and beaten only by the late surge in lentils), Mung beans yields have fluctuated and hardly grown at 0.47% pa. Urad yields increased from 0.34 to 0.65 t/ha (in 37 years). Mung beans yields increased from 0.35 t/ ha to a high of 0.51 t/ha in 2011 and then fell to 0.47- 0.50 t/ha in recent years.
Way forward to 2030
Issues affecting pulse farming
1. Two major issues have emerged with respect to pulses production in the country. First, the limited genetic potential for high yields and second their vulnerability to pests and diseases.
2. Yield potential of the pulses has been rather low. Newer varieties of pulses need to be developed so that the crop cycle fits well into cropping systems that the farmers adopt. Another important issue is limited mechanization potential, especially for planting and harvesting of the crop. Suitable plant types need to be developed for mechanical harvesting with pods above the canopy and sturdier plants.
3. Due to the high protein content in pulses, the crop is highly vulnerable to pests and diseases. It is estimated that about 30% of pulses crops are lost on account of pest attacks every year. (Attack by pod borer and pod fly is so severe that the entire standing crop is devastated). Research needs to prioritise modern biotechnological tools for developing pest-resistant varieties of pulses.
4. Weeds are another problematic area. Manual weeding appears difficult in future, therefore the development of herbicide-tolerant pulses, as well as varieties suitable for mechanical harvesting, are necessary to minimise the labour-intensive farming.
5. A peculiar problem for Indo-Gangetic plains is the menace of large scale grazing by blue bulls, a nationally protected species. There is a huge potential for bringing innovative solutions, and to promote more intensive use of production technologies.
Making pulse farming more rewarding
Given the importance of pulses in the Indian diet, their availability needs to be increased indigenously. Govt has put together a number of initiatives to increase the acreage of pulses and bring self-sufficiency.
1. Govt has emphasised on research for developing biotic-stress resistant (ie. pest tolerant) and stress-tolerant (ie. weather hardy) varieties. It is possible to improve pulses productivity 2 to 3 times through available varieties and planting technologies, as is well documented in scientific experiments. For example, the use of drip irrigation in pigeon pea and agronomic practices like transplantation and nipping of branches are showing very encouraging results.
2. Aggressive promotion of available technologies under the cluster front line demonstration has been taken up. It has sought to fit pulses in the overall cropping system that farmers take during the year.
3. Govt has encouraged public-private initiatives for better logistics and handling of pulses (ie. post-harvesting activities).
4. Govt significantly increased the Minimum Support Price of the pulses and strengthened pulses procurement. In fact, MSP has been doubled in the last three year -- with a quantum jump given during Kharif 2018, with an increase of more than 150% of the cost of production.
5. Our import & export policies are now designed so that Indian farmers continue to get a good return for their produce; that crop forecasting is much improved so that price is not distorted. We can also better plan and manage the supply chain.
With better yields through the development of pest and disease resistant varieties, lessons learnt from the exchange of knowledge, increased MSPs and marketing support, the Indian farmer will definitely adopt pulse based cropping systems to produce more pulses with increased acreage
Focus on individual pulses crop groups
http://farmer.gov.in/SucessReport2018-19.pdf pg 121 - 131
Note: deemed area method used for total pulses yield & aggregate yields in the first diagram.
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- Data
Area / million Ha.
Yr end Gram Tur Mung Urad Lentils Total----------------------------------------------------------------
1981 6.58 2.84 2.84 2.83 0.93 16.02
1991 7.52 3.59 3.36 3.48 1.19 19.14
2001 5.19 3.63 3.01 3.01 1.48 16.32
2011 9.19 4.37 3.51 3.25 1.60 21.92
2012 8.30 4.01 3.39 3.22 1.56 20.48
2013 8.52 3.89 2.72 3.15 1.42 19.70
2014 9.93 3.90 3.38 3.06 1.34 21.61
2015 8.25 3.85 3.02 3.25 1.47 19.84
2016 8.40 3.96 3.83 3.62 1.28 21.09
2017 9.63 5.34 4.33 4.48 1.46 25.24
2018 10.57 4.46 4.07 5.03 1.49 25.62
Production / million tonnes
Yr end Gram Tur Mung Urad Lentils Total----------------------------------------------------------------
1981 4.33 1.96 0.98 0.96 0.47 8.70
1991 5.36 2.42 1.38 1.65 0.85 11.66
2001 3.86 2.25 1.02 1.30 0.92 9.35
2011 8.22 2.86 1.80 1.76 0.94 15.58
2012 7.70 2.65 1.63 1.77 1.06 14.81
2013 8.83 3.02 1.19 1.97 1.13 16.14
2014 9.53 3.17 1.61 1.70 1.02 17.03
2015 7.33 2.81 1.50 1.96 1.04 14.64
2016 7.06 2.56 1.59 1.95 0.98 14.14
2017 9.38 4.87 2.17 2.83 1.22 20.47
2018 11.16 4.18 1.90 3.28 1.51 22.03
Yield / kgs per ha
Yr end Gram Tur Mung Urad Lentils Total--------------------------------------------------------------
1981 658 690 345 339 498 543
1991 712 674 411 474 717 609
2001 744 620 339 432 619 573
2011 894 654 513 542 591 711
2012 928 661 481 550 678 723
2013 1036 776 438 625 797 819
2014 960 813 476 556 759 788
2015 888 730 497 603 705 738
2016 840 646 415 539 765 670
2017 974 912 501 632 838 811
2018 1056 937 467 652 1008 860
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