Pulses

In simple terms, pulses are leguminous crops harvested for their dry seeds. They are rich in protein, especially important in a vegetarian diet like that of a large population in India.

Types of Pulses in India

India grows a variety of pulses, the most notable ones being:

• Gram (Chana)
• Tur (Arhar/Pigeon Pea)
• Moong
• Urad
• Masur (Lentil)
• Peas

Unique Feature: Natural Soil Doctors

All pulses except arhar have a wonderful natural gift—they are leguminous and can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil. This makes them environmentally friendly and agriculturally sustainable.

➡️ That’s why they are usually grown in rotation with other crops, to help replenish soil fertility.

Climate Requirements and Distribution

• Pulses require low moisture and are tolerant to dry conditions.
• Major producing states:
  Madhya Pradesh (24.05%) > Maharashtra (17.79%) > Rajasthan (13.88%) > Uttar Pradesh (10.91%)

They are primarily grown in dry regions where high water-consuming crops like rice, wheat, and maize are not viable.

Gram (Chana)

Gram is the most important pulse crop of India.

Growing Conditions:

• Season: Rabi
• Temperature: Mild cool (20–25°C)
• Rainfall: Low (40–50 cm)
• Soil: Well-drained loamy soils

It is cultivated as both a pure crop or in mixed cropping with wheat, barley, linseed, or mustard. This practice also helps to reduce the risk of gram blight, a fungal disease.

✅ Rainfed Nature: Only 1-2 light irrigations are needed.

Regions: Grown across Central, Western, and Northwestern India.

The Green Revolution Impact: Displacement by Wheat

Now, let’s decode this crucial line from your image:

“Gram like millets has suffered a lot at the hands of wheat.“

🧠 This is not a poetic exaggeration—it’s a very real agro-economic phenomenon.

Explanation:

• After the Green Revolution, there was a major focus on high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice.
• This led to heavy subsidies, irrigation development, and MSP-based procurement.
• As a result, farmers in areas like Punjab, Haryana, and Northern Rajasthan, where gram was traditionally cultivated, shifted to wheat.

➡️ Result: Gram and millets (which thrive in marginal areas) were pushed out of the cropping system—especially in irrigated regions.

The Gram Problem Today

• Still suffers from low and fluctuating yields, even in irrigated areas.
• Has not received the same policy support as wheat and rice.
• India still imports pulses to meet demand—despite being the largest producer and consumer globally.

Tur (Arhar)

Key facts:

• Second most important pulse crop.
• Mostly a kharif crop, but can be rabi in milder winter areas.
• Typically grown mixed with other kharif crops like jowar, bajra, maize, cotton, etc.

🧠 Growth Conditions: Similar to other pulses and millets—dry areas, low input, rainfed.

Conclusion: Why Pulses Matter More Than Ever

In an age of nutritional deficiency, climate stress, and the push for sustainable agriculture, pulses are not just crops—they are solutions.

✅ They save water
✅ Improve soil fertility
✅ Provide affordable protein
✅ Support dryland farmers

Yet, due to policy neglect and the domination of wheat and rice, pulses have been historically sidelined.