Fiscal viability of pulses cultivation in Punjab: An economic analysis

Punjab being a pioneer state in early adoption of green revolution technology resulted in making India self-sufficient in foodgrains production. The drastic change in cropping pattern during seventies in the state resulted in relegating pulses and coarse cereals to marginal and sub-marginal lands. India is dependent on pulses import to feed its ever growing population. To augment the production of pulses in India, National Food Security Mission (NFSM) - pulses was started in 2007-08 in some of the selected districts of various states which was later extended to the other districts of the country also. This study was conducted with the objective to see the relative profitability of pulses vis-à-vis their major competing crops. The selected districts of the study included one NFSM district- Ferozepur and non-NFSM district- Moga. The results of the study indicated that the returns per hectare from summer moong in Ferozepur and Moga districts increased after the initiation of NFSM- pulses programme. In case of Kharif moong and gram also, the returns per hectare increased in Ferozepur district but this increase was not much sharp. The profitability from total pulses vis-à-vis total major competing crops was little less despite additional returns from summer moong crop in total pulse production. The study highlighted that pulse crops are risky in terms of yield and thereby profitability, therefore, for promotion of these crops in the state, insurance cover to the growers should be provided to compensate the damage to the crop in case of severe incidence of insect-pest and diseases, unseasonal rainfalls and natural calamities. The study emphasised the need for development of efficient marketing mechanism as in case of wheat and paddy for pulse crops also in order to establish them as more lucrative and alternative enterprise to augment the farmers income.