With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:
1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.
2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation
1. Statement 1 is correct. Black gram (Urad) is primarily grown during the kharif season in India. However, it can also be cultivated during the rabi season in areas with suitable climate and irrigation/residual moisture, particularly in southern and eastern states, and also as a summer crop.
2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While Green-gram (Moong) is an important pulse crop, it does not account for nearly half of India's total pulse production. Chickpea (Gram) is typically the largest contributor, and the total pulse basket includes several other major pulses like Pigeon pea (Arhar), Lentil (Masur), and Black gram (Urad). Green-gram's share is considerably less than 50%.
3. Statement 3 is incorrect. Over the last three decades, the overall production of pulses in India has generally shown an increasing trend, although with fluctuations. Both kharif and rabi pulse production have seen periods of growth, with significant increases in overall pulse production achieved in recent years. It is not accurate to state that the production of rabi pulses has decreased; in fact, rabi pulses (especially chickpea) contribute a major share to total pulse production.
4. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.
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