Uncertainty in sowing area of Kharif pulses crops
17-Jun-2025 06:01 PM
New Delhi. With the continued import of cheap goods in large quantities from abroad and domestic market prices falling to around the minimum support price (MSP), the possibility of an increase in the production area of Kharif pulses crops has become uncertain.
Although the Central Government has significantly raised the MSP of tuvar and urad and expressed its commitment to procure 100 percent from farmers, the expected enthusiasm and interest in cultivation is still lacking among growers.
Sowing of Kharif pulses has begun, and as of June 13, the area has reached 3.07 lakh hectares, which is 47 thousand hectares more than the 2.60 lakh hectares during the same period last year. However, this increase is mainly due to moong and urad, while the sowing area of tuvar is trailing behind last year.
Interestingly, both of the top tuvar-producing states—Maharashtra and Karnataka—have received good rainfall this season, yet the farmer response has been more subdued compared to the previous year.
Undoubtedly, this is only the initial phase of sowing, and the situation may still change. It should change, as pulse imports are touching new record levels while the government has targeted self-sufficiency in production by 2027–28. Not only is a large amount of money being spent on imports, but Indian farmers are also struggling to get profitable prices for their produce.
For the current Kharif season, the total average production area of pulse crops is estimated at 129.60 lakh hectares. This includes 44.71 lakh hectares for tuvar, 32.64 lakh hectares for urad, 35.69 lakh hectares for moong, 10.19 lakh hectares for moth, 1.78 lakh hectares for horse gram, and 4.59 lakh hectares for other pulses.
Pulses are typically sown extensively in July and August, and heavy monsoon rains expected during this time may help boost sowing.
Compared to last year, the government has increased the MSP of tuvar by Rs. 450—from Rs.7,550 to Rs.8,000 per quintal. The MSP of urad has been raised by Rs.400—from Rs.7,400 to Rs.7,800 per quintal—while the MSP of moong has been increased by Rs.86.