Status of bengal gram over Tamil Nadu.

Among the pulses, bengal gram (Chickpea) has been considered for the present study in the scenario of uncertain monsoon behaviour where it is an excellent crop benefiting the farmers since its ability to withstand drought condition with lesser rainfall. The present study was under taken intentionally to assess the trends in area, production, productivity and Efficient cropping zones (ECZ) of the emerging pulse crop (Bengal gram) of Tamil Nadu, to identify and analyse the factors influencing the area, production and productivity of bengal gram as well as to key note the available niches over the state (Tamil Nadu). The zones were identified for latest 10 year average (2005-2014). The trend analysis was carried out for 1950-2014, 1950-1979 and 1980-2009 and at decadal scale for state level. The results showed that the trend in area, production and productivity were increasing with the new technologies that could further extend the crop over the efficient cropping zones. The compound growth rate of 2.44 per cent per annum over Tamil Nadu during the time period of 1950-2014 could be achieved as a whole. Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu during the latest ten years, 2005 to 2014 were found to be the efficient cropping zones for bengal gram from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]