Viability and sustainability of pulse sector in Maharashtra: A case of pigeon pea

A critical evaluation of costs and returns showed positive and significantly high returns from pigeon pea in Maharashtra only over variable cost. However, a significant and steady increase in variable cost over time has resulted in lower profitability. Labour and insecticide costs, in particular, have grown significantly. The rising variable cost has led to highly fluctuating profitability in pigeon pea cultivation. The fluctuation in profitability is also on account of unsteady yield. These discouraging observations coupled with loss of crop during various pre-harvesting, harvesting and post harvesting operations are a matter of great concern for sustainability of pigeon pea cultivation. To boost cultivation of pigeon pea, there is a need to reduce cost, increase yield and enhance MSP, apart from initiating other measures like bringing more area under its cultivation accompanied by package of practices, replacement of non-descriptive local varieties with high yielding pest and disease resistant varieties, and transfer of technical knowledge.