No Likelihood of a Sharp Increase in Pulse Production
21-Jan-2026 01:23 PM
New Delhi. Although the sowing area of rabi pulses has increased by 2.9% this year to about 13.7 million hectares from 13.318 million hectares last year, and overall weather conditions have remained normal, it still appears difficult for total production to reach the government’s target of 16.57 million tons. The sowing area of chickpea has increased significantly, lentil acreage is normal, mung bean area has seen a marginal rise, while urad sowing has declined.
According to official data, compared with last year, chickpea acreage during the current rabi season has jumped 5.1% from 9.122 million hectares to 9.588 million hectares. Lentil sowing area has increased 2.6% from 1.766 million hectares to 1.812 million hectares, while mung acreage has improved by 4.9% from 81,000 hectares to 85,000 hectares. In contrast, urad acreage has declined by 6.1% from 488,000 hectares to 458,000 hectares. In addition, other pulses such as kulthi and khesari are also grown during the rabi season.
Although many parts of northern and central India have not received good rainfall for a long time, lower temperatures and cooler weather have helped prevent major damage to crops. The Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall in northwestern India during January 22–24, which is expected to provide relief to crops, especially in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and nearby states.
Chickpea is the most important rabi pulse crop and contributes around 40% to the country’s total annual pulse production. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat are the leading chickpea-producing states. Sowing of this key crop has been completed, and harvesting preparations for early-sown crops are likely to begin from next month. Most of the lentil production comes from Madhya Pradesh and the adjoining Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Large-scale pea cultivation is also carried out there. Bihar and West Bengal are also major producers of lentils.