Constraints and Shifting of Area of Chickpea Cultivation in Tal Area of Patna District in Bihar

Pulses in India have long been considered as the poor man's source of protein. India accounts for 33 per cent of the world's area and 22 per cent of its pulses’ production. Bihar is one of the leading pulse growing states in India contributing about 6.5 per cent to the country's pulses production. The study was conducted in the Tal area of Patna District where pulses were grown on around 12301 ha area under chickpea, 28266 ha lentil and 3363 ha under pea and production was 7872.5t of chickpea, 2011.2t of lentil and 3524.8t Pea in the year 2000–01. In the year 2009–10 area under pulses declined and it was 6994 ha under chickpea, 29270 ha under lentil and 1040 ha under pea and production was 680.5t of chickpea, 3044t of lentil and 156.5t of pea. Based on findings of the study, it is concluded that the area under chickpea has declined by 16.64 per cent. However, the area of almost all other pulses like lentil, pea and Lathyrus increased by 15.48, 6.14 and 3.4 per cent, respectively. Present study revealed the fact that declining area under chickpea was due to various constraints like low yield, low market price, time factor, late maturity, high infestation by insect, pest and diseases and use of local seed. By overcoming these constraints area under chickpea could be increased significantly.