Scenario of Major Pulse Production in Tamil Nadu: A Growth Decomposition Approach

In the present study, an attempt has been made to analyze the trend in the production of the total pulses crop in Tamil Nadu for the period 1965–66 to 2016–17, i.e. past six decades in the state. The gross area under total pulses in Tamil Nadu was in the range of 3.97 to 7.85 lakh ha per year over these six decades. The average production of total pulses was in the range of 1.01 lakh tonnes to 3.37 lakh tonnes per annum. However, the yield of total pulses was increased over the year. The yield of total pulses was 256 kg/ha during 1960’s which increase to above 430 kg/ha during 2016–17. The compound growth rate of yield over six decades was positive and significant in area and production except the period II are negative signs. Area under Black gram, Green gram, Red gram, Bengal gram and total pulses registered positive growth during 1965–66 to 1985–86. Increase production of Black gram, Green gram, Bengal gram and total pulses were contributed by their yields, whereas area and its interaction with yield have adversely affected the production. Decline in production of Horse gram was due to area effect and interaction effect. The decomposition analysis shows that increase in production of pulses during the period 2006–2016 was driven mainly by yield improvements. Since the supply of resources, especially land is limited in nature; productivity of pulses should be boosted up by the adoption of improved technologies like hybrid pulses cultivation and various techniques of production to meet the future increased demand.

To meet growing demand and to reduce the import of pulses, more such initiatives are needed, so that the country can attain self- sufficiency. Policy support should be promoted which will help to increase per capita availability of pulses, reducing import dependence and to some extent it will stabilize the pulse prices. This research will be helpful for policy makers to take decisions regarding performance of pulses in Tamil Nadu.