Pulses’ price may further go up in MaharashtraHome

Pulses acreage in Maharashtra dropping down from 25 lakh hectares to 17 lakh hectares as compared to the previous year. As a result Pulses’ prices are likely to rise further.

According to senior officials of the State Agriculture Department, pulses have been sown on 17 lakh-odd hectares.

The production is likely to reduce this year as there have been pest attacks on the crop leading to its wilting in the state, they said.

According to a recent report, increase in prices of pulses may register highest growth this year due to untimely rains which have severely affected 2.28 million tonne (MT) of rabi crop and widened the gap between demand and supply to the extent of 6 million tonne. “Currently, pulses’ prices are heading for a two-year high and the unseasonal rain in north India is resulting in humongous crop losses,” the study said.

As per data available with the Agriculture Department, in the kharif season, usually around 22, 46 lakh hectares come under pulse production. This year too a target of 25 lakh hectares was set. However, around 17 lakh hectares came under cultivation and resowing operations also have not been very successful, officials said.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com