aDivision of Agricultural Economics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012
bIntellectual Property and Technology Management Unit
cAgricultural Extension Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, KAB-1, Pusa, New Delhi-110 012
*Author for correspondence Email: shivkumardull@gmail.com, Present address: National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP), New Delhi-110 012
JEL Classification: D24, D21, O33, O13
This paper has analyzed the patterns and sources of growth in pulses production in India and has examined their implications for future growth of pulses production. The study has observed an increasing trend in pulses production, driven mainly by yield improvements. The contributions of area expansion and prices to pulses growth have been erratic, suggesting that these can not be the sustainable sources of growth in pulses. Further, farmers’ area allocation decisions to pulses are not price-dependent, but depend on nonprice factors, mainly rainfall. These findings imply that in the short-run, to boost pulses production, the policy should address the non-price constraints such as irrigation, access to credit and input supply. However, the growth in pulses production in the long-run must come from technological changes.
Pulses, growth, area substitution, yield response, irrigation
