Yield from Pulse Cultivation in Purulia, West Bengal: The Socio-Ecological and Techno-Managerial Interpretation

Abstract

In India, pulses are mainly cultivated on marginal lands under rain fed conditions. Only 15% of the area under pulses has assured irrigation. High level of fluctuations in production of pulse crops because of various biotic and abiotic stresses and erratic prices, farmers are not very willing to take up pulse cultivation inspite of high wholesale pulse prices in the recent years. In rice-fallow agriculture in Purulia, pulse is the main source of protein to millions and a dependable mentor of soil health. The present study has been conducted in Manbazar-1 and Purulia-1 blocks of Purulia district and data were collected from 75 respondents who are mainly small and marginal farmers. The selection of the respondents has followed the random sampling method by using an exhaustive list of pulse growers from selected locale. Size of land holding and cost of fuel have got the most importance. The study has offered a unique micro level policy implication at a time when the entire nation is trying to boost up pulse productivity and cultivation throughout the length and breadth of geography of India.