Pulses production scenario in India; Constraints and way forward

Abstract

Pulses are vital sources of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and adding significantly to the country’s nutritional stability. India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world, accounting for about 25% of global production and 27% of consumption. India imported nearly 2.63 million metric tons of pulses during 2019-20. The peculiarity of the pulse production scenario in India illustrated that while India is the world’s largest producer of pulses, domestic demand outstrips domestic production and the shortfall is being addressed from import, Increasing the production of pulses in the country is a long-term solution to meet the demand for pulses. This is a major challenge for us to ensure the availability of pulses as their cultivation is predominantly taken up on marginal and sub-marginal lands under rain-fed conditions. The major constraints hindering the pulses production are low seed replacement rate, poor management practices, non-availability of rhizobiuna, unfavorable weather condition, inadequate infrastructure etc. Government of India is taking many initiatives to overcome the constraints and enhance the pulses production of the country. This article deals with present scenario of pulse production and delineates constraints along with strategies to overcome these constraints.