Question

With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:

1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.

2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.

3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production on rabi pulses had decreased.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1 only

The correct answer is 1 only.

• Pulses are grown in all three seasons – Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Gram is the most dominant pulse but only with a share of around 40 percent in the total production followed by Tur/Arhar at 15 to 20 percent and Urad/Black Matpe and Moong at around 8-10 percent each. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The production of pulses for both Rabi and Kharif seasons has increased in the last three decades. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

• India is the largest producer (25% of global production), the consumer (27% of world consumption), and the importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
• Pulses account for around 20 percent of the area under foodgrains and contribute around 7-10 percent of the total foodgrains production in the country
• Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, Rabi pulses contribute more than 60 percent of the total production.
• Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka are the top five pulses producing States. The productivity of pulses is 764 kg/ha. 

• Many crops are cultivated in both Kharif and rabi seasons.
• Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, Rabi pulses contribute more than 60 percent of the total production.
• Black gram can be cultivated as both Kharif and rabi crop.
• It is consumed in a variety of ways across the North to South in preparation of different regular and popular dishes like vada, idli, dosa, etc.
• It is best suited to rice fallows during rabi in southern and south-eastern parts of India.
• Bengal Gram (Desi Chick Pea / Desi Chana), Pigeon Peas(Arhar / Toor/ Red Gram), Green Beans (Moong Beans),
• Chick Peas (Kabuli Chana), Black Matpe (Urad / Mah / Black Gram), Red Kidney Beans (Rajma), Black Eyed Peas (Lobiya), Lentils (Masoor),
• White Peas (Matar) are major pulses grown and consumed in India.
• Gram (Chickpeas) is the most dominant pulse having a share of around 40 percent in the total production followed by Tur/Arhar.

• The country’s pulses production stood at 234 lakh tonne in the 2018-19 crop year, down from the record level of 254 lakh tonne in 2017-18.
• The production of pulses for both Rabi and Kharif seasons has increased in the last three decades.
• Production of Kharif pulses in 2000-01 was 44.48 lakh tonnes which increased to 55.30 lakh tonnes by 2016-17.
• The production of Rabi pulses has also increased from 66.27 lakh tonnes in 2000-01 to 108.18 lakh tonnes in 2015-16.