Pulses

Introduction

Pulse is an important group of crops in India, which is also responsible for yielding large financial gains by amounting for a large part of the exports. Pulses are the major sources of protein in the diet. Of all categories of people pulses form an integral part of the Indian diet, providing much needed protein to the carbohydrate rich diet. India is the largest producer of pulses in the world.

Production area

Most agro pulses are grown on non-irrigated land in India with growers responding to winter rainfall conditions by reducing seeded area for the rabi season. Few regions with high productivity are Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal delta region, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal and eastern Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra.

Growth promotional activities

To increase per hectare yield and total production of pulses in the State of Maharashtra and to make the state self-sufficient in pulses, incentive scheme is operated in the State. The Central and State Governments in 75:25 proportions share the total expenditure of the incentive scheme. To augment domestic availability and keep consumer prices under control, the government allows private traders to import all types of pulses without restriction at a 5% import duty (plus a temporary 5% surcharge imposed in 1997.

Types

Major agro pulses are chickpeas (gram), pigeon pea (tur or arhar), moong beans, urd (black matpe), masur (lentil), peas and various kinds of beans.