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 of rabi pulses has decreased. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents13
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C2 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 only
Statement 1 (Black gram grown in both Kharif and Rabi) — CORRECT:
Black gram (urad dal) is versatile.
During Kharif season, it's cultivated throughout India.
During Rabi, it's grown mainly in southern and south-eastern India, particularly in rice fallows (fields where rice was grown earlier).
Statement 2 (Green gram accounts for nearly half of pulse production) — NOT CORRECT:
Green gram (moong) accounts for only about 8-10% of total pulse production.
It's actually Bengal Gram (chana/chickpea) that dominates with about 40% share, followed by Tur/Arhar (pigeon pea) at 15-20%.
Statement 3 (India's pulse production has been steady in the last 3 decades) — NOT CORRECT:
Pulse production has NOT been steady — it has fluctuated.
While production has generally increased over the decades (from around 44 lakh tonnes Kharif in 2000-01 to 55 lakh tonnes in 2016-17), there have been ups and downs.
Production dropped from a record 254 lakh tonnes in 2017-18 to 234 lakh tonnes in 2018-19.
Only Statement 1 is correct. Answer: A.
Key Takeaway:
Black gram = both Kharif and Rabi.
Bengal gram (chana) is the TOP pulse (40% share), not green gram.
Pulse production has fluctuated, not been steady.
India is the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses, accounting for about 25% of global production and nearly 27% of global consumption.
The government launched several pulse-focused schemes around 2014-2016 like National Food Security Mission-Pulses, making pulse production patterns a relevant exam topic.
UPSC is testing detailed knowledge of cropping seasons and production statistics rather than general pulse awareness.
Black Gram Cultivation Seasons
Geography Black gram kharif rabi
Black Gram (Urad): Kharif & Rabi Cultivation Patterns
Black gram (urad) can be grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons
Kharif: cultivated throughout India during monsoon
Rabi: grown mainly in southern & south-eastern India in rice fallows
Rice fallows = fields where rice was previously harvested
Black gram (urad dal) is one of the few pulses with dual-season flexibility. This adaptability makes it valuable for crop rotation and maximizing land use efficiency.
Black Gram Seasonal Patterns
Season | Regions | Timing | Growing Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
Kharif | Throughout India | June-October | Monsoon-dependent, rainfed |
Rabi | South & South-East India | November-March | Rice fallows, irrigated |
Why Rice Fallows Matter
Rice fallows are post-harvest rice fields with residual moisture
Ideal for short-duration pulses like black gram in Rabi season
Helps farmers get two crops per year from same land
Common practice in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu
Trap: Assuming pulses are only Kharif crops - black gram breaks this pattern
Trap: Confusing rice fallows with normal Rabi cultivation - it's specific to post-rice fields
Statement 1 in the question tests this exact dual-season knowledge
Pulse Production Shares in India
Geography Green-gram pulse production
Major Pulses in India: Production Share & Rankings
Bengal gram (chana) dominates with ~40% of total pulse production
Green gram (moong) accounts for only 8-10%, not half of production
Tur/Arhar (pigeon pea) is second largest at 15-20%
India's pulse production is heavily dominated by Bengal gram (chickpea), not green gram as Statement 2 incorrectly suggests. Understanding these production shares is crucial for agricultural policy questions.
Major Pulses by Production Share
Pulse | Common Name | Production Share | Main Growing Season |
|---|---|---|---|
Bengal Gram | Chana/Chickpea | ~40% | Rabi |
Tur/Arhar | Pigeon Pea | 15-20% | Kharif |
Black Gram | Urad | 10-12% | Both Kharif & Rabi |
Green Gram | Moong | 8-10% | Both Kharif & Rabi |
Lentil | Masoor | 6-8% | Rabi |
Why Bengal Gram Dominates
Largest pulse crop in India by area and production
Well-adapted to semi-arid regions of central and northern India
High protein content and storage stability
Major growing states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra
Trap: Assuming green gram is the largest pulse - it's actually Bengal gram
Trap: Confusing moong (green gram) with chana (Bengal gram) in statistics
Statement 2 tests this exact misconception about green gram's share
Pulse Production Trends in India
Geography production kharif pulses rabi pulses three decades
India's Pulse Production: Trends & Fluctuations (1990-2020)
Pulse production has fluctuated significantly, not remained steady
Overall long-term increase from ~14 million tonnes (1990s) to ~25 million tonnes (2017-18 peak)
Year-to-year variations due to monsoon dependency and policy changes
India's pulse production has NOT been steady over the last three decades. While there's been a general upward trend, production has experienced significant fluctuations due to weather patterns, policy interventions, and market dynamics.
Pulse Production Milestones
Period | Production (Million Tonnes) | Key Trend |
|---|---|---|
1990s | ~14-16 | Baseline period |
2000-01 | ~11 | Drought-induced low |
2010-15 | ~17-19 | Gradual recovery |
2016-17 | ~23 | Record growth |
2017-18 | ~25.4 | All-time high |
2018-19 | ~23.4 | Decline from peak |
Factors Behind Fluctuations
Monsoon dependency - pulses are largely rainfed crops
Policy interventions like Minimum Support Price (MSP) changes
Import policies affecting domestic production incentives
Technology adoption and improved seeds gradually increasing yields
Trap: Assuming steady production over decades - reality shows major fluctuations
Trap: Not distinguishing between long-term trends and year-to-year variations
Statement 3 tests whether you know production has fluctuated, not been steady
Kharif vs Rabi Pulses
Geography kharif rabi
Kharif vs Rabi Pulses: Seasonal Classification & Examples
Kharif pulses grown during monsoon (June-October)
Rabi pulses grown in winter (November-March)
Some pulses like black gram and green gram can be grown in both seasons
Pulses are classified into Kharif and Rabi based on their growing seasons. This classification is crucial for understanding crop rotation patterns and agricultural planning in India.
Pulse Classification by Season
Season | Major Pulses | Growing Period | Dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
Kharif | Tur/Arhar, Moong, Urad | June-October | Monsoon-dependent |
Rabi | Chana (Bengal gram), Masoor, Peas | November-March | Irrigation/residual moisture |
Both | Black gram, Green gram | Flexible timing | Adaptable to both patterns |
Seasonal Advantages
Kharif pulses utilize monsoon rains, reducing irrigation needs
Rabi pulses grown in cooler weather, less pest pressure
Dual-season pulses provide flexibility for crop rotation
Seasonal diversity helps stabilize overall pulse production
Cropping Calendar
Source: YouTube — Cropping Seasons In India - Kharif, Rabi, Zaid · www.youtube.com
Trap: Assuming all pulses are season-specific - some can be grown in both
Trap: Confusing Chana (rabi-dominant) with Tur (kharif-dominant)
Remember: Black gram's dual-season nature was key to solving this question