Production and Productivity of Pulses in India: Role of Combined Quality Inputs Usage

Pulses are the predominant and cheaper source of protein to the majority of people in India especially who are poor and unable to access high priced animal protein. Though our country is the largest producer and importer of pulses, the economy has failed to meet the rising domestic demand recently. Price of pulses has increased enormously in recent years and it has become beyond the reach of the poor. In this context interest grows to explore the supply side of pulses in India after economic reforms. An attempt has been made in this paper to examine the changing pattern of production and yield of pulses across Indian states. Contributions of different states to the production of different types of pulses are examined. Eventually factors affecting pulse production in India and their relative roles are examined. Composite quality Input Index (CII), net availability of under-ground water, and proportion of indebted farmers are some of the factors that significantly affect per hectare pulse production in India.