Indian farmers have increased their cultivation during the summer crops, which is a short crop season occurring between the harvest of Rabi crops and the sowing of Kharif crops. The main summer crops grown in India include Rice, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Maize, Groundnut, Sunflower, Sesame, and pulses such as Urad and Moong.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, as of April 28, 2023, summer crop pulses have been seeded on 1.758 million hectares, which is an increase of 8% compared to the same period last year. The significant growth contribution came solely from mungbean, which experienced a jump of 11%.
|
Summer Pulses Sown Area (in million hectares) |
|||
|
Crops |
2023 |
2022 |
Change |
|
Urad |
0.308 |
0.312 |
-1% |
|
Moong |
1.427 |
1.284 |
11% |
|
Other Pulses |
0.023 |
0.028 |
-18% |
|
Total Pulses |
1.758 |
1.624 |
8% |
During the current summer season, Bihar (275 Kha vs 148 Kha) and Madhya Pradesh (802 Kha vs 771 Kha) have both witnessed an increase in the cultivation area coverage of mungbean.
Rising domestic prices of mungbeans seems to be the reason behind the increase in acreage. Though summer crop is usually very small, but if it is an indicator, Kharif planting may see an increase in acreage for mung beans as well resulting in a boost in production for the same.
