Production performance of chickpea in Maharashtra

Abstract

Pulses are the second most important food crops after cereals. Maharashtra is major producer of chickpea and in top five pulses producing states in India. This study covers the changes in area, production and productivity of chickpea during pre and post Technology Mission on Pulses. District and region wise as well as state level secondary data were used. The study period was divided into period-I (Pre TMOP) from 1969-70 to 1990-91, period-II (post TMOP) from 1991-92 to 2012-13 and period-III from 1969-70 to 2012-13 (entire period). The result showed that, the area and production of chickpea has been tripled in Maharashtra during the period 44 year and showed increasing trend, As regards the production of chickpea, it had increased by 874.03 per cent during the period of 44 years since 1969. The productivity of chickpea has shown increasing trend in Maharashtra. The area, production and productivity of chickpea at state level had statically significant and increased at the rate of 3.32, 6.01 and 2.61 per cent per annum, respectively for the entire period of 44 years. The production increase was brought about by both area expansion and productivity improvement. The significant increase in growth rate of the acreage, production and productivity of chickpea was noticed in all regions and at the state level during the period from 1969 to 2013.During pre-TMOP period, the area, production and productivity of chickpea were significant and increased at the rate of 2.84, 5.62 and 2.71 per cent per annum, respectively in the state and significantly highest increase in growth rate of production of chickpea was noticed in Western Maharashtra region (7.21) followed by Vidarbha (6.00) and Marathwada (3.67) regions, while in post-TMOP period the area, production and productivity of chickpea was significant and increased at the rate of 4.09, 6.44 and 2.26 per cent per annum respectively at state level.