Acreage response of chickpea in India: A state level analysis (1974–75 to 2008–09)

Pulses have been the low performing crops in India during the past four decades despite rising demand and increasing prices. In view of demand and supply gap, current research studies are the need of the hour to improve pulse production. This paper is a modest attempt to examine the factors influencing the acreage response in three major gram producing states, namely, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan for the period 1974–75 to 2008–09. Acreage analysis reveals that price factors are important in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan whereas non price factors are important in Maharashtra. It is suggested that concerted efforts are required through extension services for immediately propagating the pulse varieties and technologies developed in the research organizations to the farmer's field to increase production of pulses.