Pulse performance in India (1970-71 to 2008-09)
Student name: Ms Sonal Birla
Guide: Dr Sushmita Chatterjee
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: Agricultural Economics Research Centre, University of Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Usha Tuteja
Abstract: Pulses have been the low performing crops in India during the past four decades despite
rising demand and increasing prices. In view of demand and supply gap, current research
studies are the need of the hour to improve pulse production. This paper is a modest attempt
to examine the pulse performance for the period 1970-71 to 2008-09. In addition, we have
examined factors influencing the acreage response in three major gram producing states,
namely, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan for the period 1974-75 to 2008-09.
Poor growth rates depict the gloomy picture of pulse performance. Acreage analysis reveals
that price factors are important in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan whereas non price factors
are important in Maharashtra. It is suggested that concerted efforts are required through
extension services for immediately propagating the pulse varieties and technologies
developed in the research organizations to the farmer’s field to increase production of pulses.
