Climate Change Threatens Pulse Production in India

14-Apr-2025 06:06 PM

New Delhi: Rising global temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change are emerging as serious threats to pulse production in India.

Experts warn that delayed sowing and early harvesting — now common due to shifting weather conditions — are reducing crop yields and affecting farmers' income.

India remains the largest producer of pulses globally, but its productivity per hectare is still below the global average.

Pulses are highly sensitive to weather changes, especially during the flowering and grain formation stages. Unseasonal dry spells or heavy rains during this period disrupt growth and reduce output.

The early onset of summer — now starting as early as February — is also proving harmful, particularly for Rabi pulses like gram, lentil, and peas, which need cooler temperatures.

Most of India’s pulse production comes from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, where rainfall patterns are becoming less predictable.

So far, the situation has remained manageable, but experts caution that continued climate volatility could severely impact India’s pulse security in the coming years.