In India, the current kharif agricultural season has witnessed a notable decline in the sowing of pulses. According to data from the agriculture ministry, the area used for pulses sowing has dropped by 8.58% compared to last year. The decrease is attributed to an 11% monsoon rain deficit across the country.
The kharif season in India starts with the arrival of the southwestern summer monsoons, which usually occur from June to September. Major kharif crops include paddy, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, and sugarcane. While paddy sowing has increased compared to last year, the area used for pulses sowing has dropped to 119.91 lakh hectares, down from 131.17 lakh hectares a year ago.
Certain states have been particularly affected. For example, in Madhya Pradesh, pulses acreage dropped to 19.72 lakh hectares from 23.44 lakh hectares last year. Similarly, in Karnataka, the figure fell to 16.70 lakh hectares from 20.07 lakh hectares. Maharashtra also reported a decline, with pulses coverage at 16.15 lakh hectares, down from 18.89 lakh hectares last year.
However, the state of Rajasthan reported an increase in pulses coverage, which could slightly balance out the drop in other major producing states. In Rajasthan, the pulses acreage has risen to 35.30 lakh hectares, up from 33.99 lakh hectares last year.
Specific types of pulses have also been affected. For instance, the area under tur (a type of pulse) fell to 42.92 lakh hectares from 45.61 lakh hectares last year. The sowing of urad and moonbean also reported lower figures than the previous year.
The decline in sowing is mainly due to less rainfall at the time of sowing. According to the MeT Department, the country experienced an 11% monsoon rain deficit between June 1 and September 6. Central India and the south peninsula also reported a 12% and 11% deficit in monsoon rains during this period, respectively.
This year’s drop in pulses sowing is of concern as pulses are a crucial source of protein for a large part of India’s population. While other crops like paddy and sugarcane saw increases in sowing areas, the decline in pulses could have long-term impacts on food security and prices.
As the country grapples with the effects of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, this year’s monsoon deficit serves as a warning for future agricultural planning. Adaptation strategies may be needed to cope with such challenges and ensure food security for India’s growing population.