Growth and Instability of Cluster Bean in Bhilwara District of Rajasthan

Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) commonly known as Guar, is a drought and high temperature tolerant deep-rooted summer annual legume of high social and economic significance. It is used as animal feed, fodder, green manure and for extraction of gum for industrial uses. India, being the largest cluster bean producer, contributes 75–80% to the global cluster bean basket. Rajasthan is a major player by contributing 72% of total production. The expansion of uses of cluster bean to new areas has transformed cluster bean in recent years into an important export crop. Looking at the agricultural and industrial importance of this marginalized crop in Rajasthan, particularly realizing the potential in southern parts of the state, the present study attempted to analyze the present scenario of the area, production, productivity and instability analysis of cluster bean crop in Bhilwara district of the state. The area, production, and productivity of cluster bean in Bhilwara district registered positive growth rates of 18.68, 29.13 and 8.54% per annum, respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) for the area, production, and productivity in Bhilwara district were 101.78, 127.74 and 144.36% respectively. The value of CV was high for production and yield, indicating high instability. The instability in the area was more in Bhilwara district compared to the state as a whole. Bhilwara district emerged as highest unstable and whole Rajasthan as lowest unstable in production of cluster bean during the study period.