NEWS – Green gram, a protein-rich pulse, has seen a remarkable surge in cultivation in its traditional belt in the Gadag and Dharwad districts, and its sowing area across the state has remained almost stable.

HIGHLIGHTS

Factors Contributing to Surge

• Climate: Reliant on pre-monsoon showers and early south-west monsoon
• Soil: Cultivated in rain-fed black soil areas
• Crop Duration: Short duration (approx. 75 days)
• Weather: Conducive weather conditions and increased soil fertility

Importance in Crop Cycle

• Second Crop: Short duration allows early planting of a second crop
• Price Stability: Good and stable market price
• Sowing Period: Ends by June 15 to avoid yield reduction from late sowing

Historical Challenges

• Drought: Impacted cultivation in 2023
• Pre-monsoon Showers: Poor in 2019, affecting sowing

Current Season Outlook

• Moisture Levels: Favorable due to good pre-monsoon showers
• Farmer Costs: Approx. Rs 8,000 per acre (Rs 20,000 if land is leased)
• Market Price: Expected to reach Rs 9,000 per quintal
• Yield Potential: Up to 8 quintals per acre under favorable conditions
• Secondary Crop: Bengal gram in rabi season

Agricultural Department Goals

• Sowing Area:
  • Gadag: 1.25 lakh hectares
  • Dharwad: 67,150 hectares
• State Target: 3.99 lakh hectares
• Production Estimate: 1.49 lakh tonnes
• Yield Expectation: 380 to 400 kg per hectare (Dharwad: highest average yield at 544 kg per hectare)

Additional Insights

• Soil Fertility: Green gram enriches soil as a leguminous plant
• Cultivation Benefits:
  • Survives adversities except waterlogging
  • Low fertiliser requirement
  • Disease-resistant
  • Low production cost
  • Mechanised harvesting reduces labor intensity