Policy brief for enhancing pulse production in Bihar: A situation analysis

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of encouraging the production and level of adoption of technology, given their possible solution, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing hunger and poverty as well as promoting health and nutrition in Bihar. This paper undertakes a situational analysis of area, production and yield analysis of three major pulses (Bengal gram, red gram, and lentils), along with that of total pulses, with reference to the time periods2003-2018along with reason for decline in area and production of major pulses in tal land. Trend analysis indicated that area and production over the reference period has been declined however the productivity shown an increasing trend. Despite of comparative advantage of pulse crop compared to competing crop farmers switch over to other competing crops due to volatility of price in markets. This paper also focused on development of policy in order to attain self-sufficiency by creation of procurement centre in each production zones that would be act as added incentives to the Pulse growers.