India is the largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses globally. Lentils, chickpeas, moong, and toor dal are essential in Indian agriculture and diets. Pulses are a vital source of protein among vegetarians. With the government emphasizing self-sufficiency through various agricultural schemes like the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), pulse production has increased significantly in recent years.
1. Rajasthan
Rajasthan is the major producer of pulses in India. It overtook the place of Madhya Pradesh in the year 2025 by producing 4821.84 tons annually. The arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan are well-suited for growing pulses, which require less water. The major pulses grown in Rajasthan are moong, Arhar, moth, beans and gram (chickpeas). The Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaipur regions are known for producing high-quality moong and gram. The high-quality pulses of Rajasthan are in demand in domestic and international markets. The focus on better quality seeds that are drought resistance has improved the output of the state.
2. Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh will be the second-largest producer of pulses in India in 2025. The state contributes nearly 25-30% of India’s pulse production. Major pulses grown in Madhya Pradesh are of three types, these pulses are gram (chickpeas), toor and Urad dal. Among these pulses, chickpeas form the largest share, as the state’s semi-arid climate and large arable land make it ideal for its cultivation. Districts like Sehore, Vidisha, Hoshangabad, and Chhindwara are known for their high pulse yields. The state’s productivity has been enhanced through government initiatives and improved irrigation systems, ensuring that it remains the top contributor.
3. Maharashtra
Maharashtra ranks third in leading pulse production state, accounting for around 15-18% per cent of the national output. The state predominantly grows toor (pigeon pea), followed by urad (black gram) and gram (chickpeas). Maharashtra has a land of 20 lakh hectares dedicated to the cultivation of toor dal. The Vidarbha region, particularly districts like Amravati, Akola, and Yavatmal, is known for growing pulses. Maharashtra’s farmers have adopted pulse cultivation due to the low water requirement, making it ideal for the region’s rainfall-dependent agriculture. Additionally, the state’s pulse productivity has improved due to focused efforts on better seed quality and post-harvest processing infrastructure.
4. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh ranks fourth in pulse production, accounting for 10-12 per cent of the total national production. The state grows a variety of pulses, including Arhar, Masoor, and Gram. The fertile alluvial soil and favourable climatic conditions contribute to the state’s high yields. However, water availability, especially in rain-fed areas, poses challenges for farmers. Despite these hurdles, government-backed programs such as improved variety of seeds and farming practices have increased its output.
5. Karnataka
Karnataka is the fifth highest-producing pulse state in India. It contributes 8-10 percent of Indian pulse cultivation. The state is known for growing toor, moong, and gram. Gram varieties of crops grown in Karnataka include horse gram, black gram and green gram. In the recent year, the state was able to cultivate 2170.69 tons of pulses. Pulses are grown particularly in the North Karnataka region, with districts like Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, and Gulbarga being the major producers. Karnataka’s pulse production has seen a steady rise thanks to the government’s efforts to promote sustainable farming practices, research on new pulse varieties, and improved irrigation infrastructure.
However, India has been facing many challenges in pulse production. The major challenges are water scarcity, dependency on monsoons, and pest infestations. Additionally, fluctuations in market prices can discourage farmers from expanding pulse cultivation. To address these issues, the Indian government is focusing on Research and Development, and investments in high-yielding and drought-resistant pulse varieties. Additionally, improved storage, processing, and marketing facilities to reduce post-harvest losses have also helped in better production of pulses.
In Conclusion
As demand for pulses continues to grow domestically and globally, these states are playing a pivotal role in ensuring food security and nutritional balance in the country. Pulses are a vital crop in India as they are a consumable type of crop. Pulses are the highest source of protein for vegetarians. Hence with sustained government support, technological advancements, and improved farming practices, India is on the path to becoming more self-reliant in pulse production by 2025.
