Heavy Rains in Bundelkhand Threaten Urad Crop
29-Jul-2025 01:06 PM
Banda. This time heavy monsoon rains in Bundelkhand division, which is usually considered a drought prone or low rainfall area, have increased the threat to other pulse crops including urad. Water has accumulated in the fields in the lower areas there, which is harmful for pulse crops.
This time the sowing area of urad in Bundelkhand division, located in the border area of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, is lagging behind last year, while heavy rains have increased the concern of farmers because it can destroy the crop. This area of central India is considered a major producer of urad.
According to the Union Agriculture Ministry, in the current Kharif season, the total production area of urad at the national level till July 25 has reached only 16.59 lakh hectares, which is 1.20 lakh hectares or 6.75 percent less than the sowing area of 17.79 lakh hectares in the same period last year.
This time the normal average area of Kharif season urad has been estimated to be 32.64 lakh hectares, whereas the actual sowing has been completed in only half of it.
According to trade analysts, due to unfavorable weather conditions, urad crop has been getting damaged for the last few years and its production and grain quality have been affected.
Due to the market price not being at an attractive level, farmers are being forced to pay more attention to the cultivation of other high-priced crops.
During the current year, there is a possibility of urad crop being affected due to excessive rainfall in Bundelkhand division as well as Rajasthan and Gujarat.
According to India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), urad is produced on a large scale in Bundelkhand and Rajasthan, but due to excessive rainfall there, a serious threat has been posed to the crop. The urad sowing season is reaching its final stage, whereas the ideal time of sowing has ended in many areas.
According to Rahul Chauhan, Director of I Grain India, Bundelkhand's major urad producing areas have received heavy rainfall in the last few weeks and if the rain continues further, the crop may be damaged.
But it is too early to estimate the extent of damage. According to Rahul Chauhan, during the Kharif season, about one-third of the country's urad is produced in the Bundelkhand division and its quantity is around 5-6 lakh tonnes, whereas at the national level, about 15 lakh tonnes of urad is produced during the Kharif season.