Lentil Production in India

Source: Economic Times
GS II: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Lentil Production in India
3. Lentils and Cropping Pattern

Why in the News?

The country’s Masur or lentil production is estimated to touch an all-time high of 1.6 million tonnes in the 2023-24 rabi season on higher acreage, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary.

News in Brief

• Lentil/Masur Production in India production stood at 1.55 million tonnes in the 2022-23 rabi season, as per the official data.
• India is the World’s largest producer and consumer of pulses.
• India imports certain pulses, including Masur and tur, to meet domestic shortages.
• The acreage has increased.
• Ongoing rabi season, more area has been brought under the Masur crop.
• The total Masur acreage has increased to 1.94 million hectares as of January 12 in the ongoing rabi season, when compared to 1.83 million hectares in the year-ago period, according to the agriculture ministry data.

About Lentil

• Lentils are edible pulses that belong to the legume family.
• Lentils are rich in carbohydrates, protein, fat, fibre, folate, thiamine, vitamins, minerals, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, and other essential nutrients
• They are seeds of the Lens culinaris plant and come in various colours, including brown, green, and red.
• In terms of cropping patterns, lentils are typically grown as part of rotation cropping systems.
• Crop rotation is a sustainable agricultural practice that involves growing different crops in sequential seasons on the same piece of land.
• This helps improve soil fertility, reduce pest and disease pressure, and enhance overall crop yields.

Legumes are members of the Fabaceae/Leguminosae) family of flowering plants. They are one of the largest plant families and include beans, peas, peanuts, lupines, alfalfa, clover, acacia, and many others.

Lentils and cropping patterns

• Crop Rotation
  • Lentils are often included in crop rotation plans due to their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.
  • They form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
  • This allows them to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use for their growth.
  • This natural nitrogen-fixing ability benefits subsequent crops in the rotation.

Any kind of intimate, long-term biological contact between two different kinds of biological organisms is called symbiosis/symbiotic relationship.

• Cropping Sequence
  • Lentils are commonly grown in rotation with other crops such as cereals (wheat, barley), oilseeds (canola, sunflower), and other legumes (peas, chickpeas).
  • The specific sequence of crops in a rotation system depends on various factors such as climate, soil type, and agronomic practices.
• Benefits of Including Lentils in Crop Rotation:
  • Nitrogen Fixation: Lentils contribute to soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in subsequent crops.
  • Disease Management: Crop rotation helps break the life cycles of pests and diseases, reducing the risk of buildup over time.
  • Weed Control: Different crops in rotation may have different growth habits, which can help control weeds by disrupting their life cycles.
• Environmental Considerations: Lentils are considered environmentally friendly due to their ability to enhance soil health and reduce the environmental impact associated with nitrogen fertilizer use.
• Adaptability: Lentils are adaptable to various agro-climatic conditions, making them suitable for cultivation in diverse regions around the world.

Canada was the top exporting nation for lentil in 2021, whereas India was the top importer. The global lentil protein market is expected to reach a market valuation of US$ 208.3 million by 2033.

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