Study on growth and instability in pulses production in Bihar: A decomposition analysis

Pulses are vital source of protein in consumer’s dietary pattern. An assessment of changes in area, production and productivity of the pulse crops is considered helpful for their management and in policy making to ensure nutritional security of ever growing population. We find that the annual growth rate of production of lentil in Bihar to be much higher than other pulses at (0.20%) and that of productivity at (0.55 %) from 1985-86 to 2015 16. Instability indices for area, production and productivity of green gram were found to be 7.04, 10.84 and 9.34 respectively which were lower compared to other pulse crops grown in the state. The decomposition analysis revealed that in case of yield effect of red gram, low productivity may be due to the fact that it is mainly grown by the marginal and small farmers under rain-fed conditions with poor crop management practices. In case of gram, the results show that production was mainly influenced by the area and productivity. The study emphasized on the need for expansion of area under pulse crops and to increase their production through technological interventions.