India's Pulse Crop Seen Lower in 2014-15

WASHINGTON - Feb 19/14 - SNS -- Pulse production in India is likely to decline in 2014-15 because of stiff competition for land use from wheat and rice, according to the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

At the same time, while imports will be down in 2013-14 on account of record rabi or winter production, they should recover in the coming marketing year.

The 2013-14 season got off to a shaky start because of heavy monsoon rainfall events during the summer or kharif harvest.

Most states received relatively higher monsoon rains during September-October coinciding with the harvest of kharif pulses (mostly pigeon pea, mung beans, and black matpe)," The U.S. agricultural attache said.

"Consequently, production of kharif pulses is estimated lower at 5.8 million metric tons (MT) compared to last year's 5.9 million MT on harvest losses due to untimely rains."

Looking at the current rabi crop, the U.S. agricultural attache said, "Soil moisture and weather conditions have been generally favorable in most growing areas for planting of pulses. However, market sources reports shift of traditional chickpea growing areas with some irrigation facilities to wheat due to relatively weak chickpea prices.

"Nevertheless, good monsoon rains during September-October has supported overall planting of rabi pulses, including chickpeas, as additional traditionally fallow land has been brought under cultivation on sufficient soil moisture at the time of planting."