Growth and Instability Trade-Offs of Chickpea Cultivation in India

In a populous developing country like India, pulse crops play a pivotal role in nutritional security of the country. Production of pulses depends on many factors like rainfall, market price, acreage, productivity, technology, fertilizer consumption etc. Although India ranks first globally in terms of area and production of pulses, it is not yet self-sufficient and remains a net importer of pulses. In this present study it is an attempt to assess scientifically the compound growth rates, variability (using Coppock’s Instability Index) and their trade-off for major producing states in India and country as a whole using time series data on area, production and yield pertaining to the period from 1992-93 to 2017-18. The results recorded that in chickpea (bengal gram) the highest positive significant growth rate with respect to production (2.71 % / annum) was mainly due to the higher significant positive growth in its area (1.59 % / annum) and productivity (1.10 % / annum). In case of instability the bengal gram in production showed the highest variability compared to area and yield.