Dynamics of Pulse Production in North-East Region of India- A State-wise Analysis

Per capita consumption of pulses over the years has come down to 30g/day in 2008 from 61g/day in 1951. The same trend is followed in North Eastern part of our country. Pulses are mainly grown in uplands in North Eastern Hill Region of India. Pulses are very important for achieving nutritional security and considering its importance the 68th UN General Assembly declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (IYP). Depending on the size of the farm land and their resources, pulses are grown by the farmers. In 2013-14, NE India produced 209.3 thousand tonnes of pulses from an area of 252.8 thousand hectare with an average productivity of 828 Kg/ ha. The NE region of India is almost 82% deficit in pulse production against its requirements as per ICMR recommendation. The study revealed that during overall period (1972-73 to 2011-12), across all the states in North East Region, Manipur (28.3%) has registered the highest significant growth in production followed by Nagaland (11.9%) and Tripura (4%). From decomposition analysis of growth in North East, it was found that over the period (1972-73 to 2011-12) yield effect (48%) was more than area effect (23%) whereas in country level area effect (33.8%) was more than yield effect (28.3%). There is a need for concerted efforts from various Departments to divert the area under shifting cultivation to production of pulses and other crops following principles of conservation agriculture, which would ultimately help in conserving soil and improving health