Abstract

Objective: Pulses are the primary source of protein for the vegetarians. However, there is wide gap between demand and supply of pulses in the country. Hence, it is important to determine the factors responsible for mismatch in demand and supply of pulses in the country.

Methods: Four important pulses grown in the country were considered for the study. Total sample size constitutes 120 comprising of 30 farmers each from redgram, bengalgram, greengram and blackgram cultivars. The principal component and multiple linear regression analysis were employed to assess the response of pulses production to a given change in selected inputs.

Findings: The study revealed that out of the 20 variables considered for the study, 8 variables were found influencing on pulses production, particularly area under crop, selection of variety, usage of fertilizers, seeds, incidence of pest and disease, prevailing market price and rainfall during flowering. The co-efficient of area, fertilizers, seeds and use of improved varieties were influenced significantly on production of pulses. Whereas, incidence of pests and diseases have negatively influenced on pulses production and were fail to exert any significant influence on decline in pulses production.

Application: In order to optimize the usage of critical inputs, agricultural scientist and line department should educate the farmers on scientific cultivation of pulses including the use of weedicides, improved tools for planting and harvesting, IPM, etc. Further, production constraints need to be addressed on priority basis in pulses growing area to increase pulse production and to minimise the import of pulses to meet out future demand and also attaining food security.

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