Growth in demand and supply of pulses in India-A normative approach

Abstract

The changing scenario of consumption and production of pulses will have significant influence on the demand- supply prospects of pulses in India. The country as whole, production of redgram had increased marginally (0.45%) during 1980-2012(Overall study period), though there is positive and significant growth in production(2.86%) during 1980-90 (Period-I), mainly due to lower growth during 1991-2012(period-II). The significant growth in production (1.39%) and productivity (1.04%) of bengalgram in the entire period except area (0.35%) was observed. However, growth in greengram production (1.14%) and productivity (1.21%) was found almost similar. In case of blackgram, positive growth rate in area, productivity and production in both the periods have ultimately resulted higher growth rates in the overall period. The growth in total pulses production indicated that growth in area (-0.10%) was negative while it was positive both in production (1.49%) and productivity (1.59%) during period-I. Similar pattern of growth was observed during period-II and in the overall study period. The estimated demand for pulses were 183.62 lakh tonnes over supply of 148.66 lakh tonnes indicating deficit of 34.96 lakh tonnes during 2001 –2011. Further, demand for pulses expected to reach 225.36 and 255.16 lakh tonnes in the year 2020 and 2030 respectively. Whereas, supply of pulses will reach 218.50 and 237.00 lakh tonnes in the same period indicating narrow gap between demand and supply in the future.