Andhra Pradesh faces steep drop in pulse cultivation

Andhra Pradesh is facing a significant and concerning shift in its agricultural landscape, with pulse production experiencing a negative annual growth rate of -1.94% since 2004-05, according to a recent NITI Aayog report. This marks a sharp decline from the steady 3.3% annual growth seen in previous decades and positions Andhra Pradesh as the only major pulse-producing state in the country with a negative growth trajectory.

This trend stands in stark contrast to the robust growth in other states. Rajasthan, for instance, has seen a remarkable 8.05% growth rate, while Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have also posted impressive gains of 4.61% and 4.27%, respectively, both exceeding the national average.

The primary reason for this decline in Andhra Pradesh is a structural transformation in its agricultural economy. Farmers are increasingly moving away from traditional crops like pulses to more lucrative sectors such as horticulture and aquaculture. These sectors offer significantly higher returns per unit of land, making them more attractive. This shift is clearly reflected in the state's economic data for 2024-25, where horticulture and livestock combined contributed a substantial 22% to the state's Gross Value Added (GVA), while traditional agriculture's share dwindled to just 3.88%. This represents a doubling of the contribution from high-value sectors over the past 15 years.

Beyond economic incentives, pulse farmers in Andhra Pradesh face a range of agronomic and structural challenges:

• Pest Infestation: Major pulse crops like pigeonpea and chickpea are highly susceptible to pests, particularly pod borers, which lead to severe yield losses and make cultivation risky.

• Agronomic Issues: In regions like the Krishna district, delayed water release for kharif crops results in late paddy harvests. This, in turn, pushes back the sowing of blackgram beyond its optimal window, negatively impacting yield potential.

• Input Accessibility: Farmers often struggle with the procurement of essential inputs. The need to travel long distances for certified seeds and fertilizers increases production costs and hinders timely planting.

• Market Volatility: Unstable market prices for pulses undermine income security, discouraging long-term investment in these crops. This is a key reason why farmers are shifting to more profitable alternatives like maize in the Guntur district, where blackgram was once a dominant crop.

• Lack of Mechanization and Irrigation: Pulse cultivation remains heavily reliant on manual labor, a major drawback compared to mechanized alternatives. Additionally, limited irrigation facilities and a lack of access to high-yielding, short-duration pulse varieties further constrain production, particularly in regions like the Visakhapatnam district.

The NITI Aayog report highlights that these combined challenges have created a perfect storm, causing a consistent and alarming decline in Andhra Pradesh's pulse production. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted policy interventions to address these issues and revive the state's pulse sector to ensure both food security and farmer livelihood.