Pulses Production in India: Trend and Decomposition Analysis

Abstract

Pulses is a major source of protein for a huge section of India particularly vegetarian population. In the present study, an attempt has been made to analyze the trend in production of total pulses crop in India for the period 1950–51 to 2014–15, i.e. past six decades in India. The gross area under total pulses in India was in the range of 19–25 million ha per year over these six decades. The average production of total pulses was in the range of 8 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes per annum over the 6 decades. However, the yield of total pulses was increase over the year. The yield of total pulses was 400 kg/ha during 1950’s which increase to above 700 kg/ha during 2014–15. The compound growth rate of yield over six decades was positive and significant while area and production are non-significant. The decomposition analysis shows that increase in production of pulses during the period 1995–2014 was mainly due to yield effect. Since the supply of resources especially land is limited in nature, productivity of pulses should be boosted up by adoption of improved technologies like hybrid pulses cultivation and various technique of production to meet the future increased demand.