1. PROMOTION OF PULSES THROUGH INTERCROPPING DURING KHARIF West Bengal Perspective

2. West Bengal Agriculture Perspectives: Geographical Area8875200 ha. Total Cultivable Area 5673352 ha(63.9% of total geographical area) Net Area Sown & C.I. 52,04,902 ha(91.74% of Cultivable Area), 181.73% A. Total Cultivable Area in less fertile 6 dists of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal 15,28,403 ha(26.94% of Total Cultivable Area) B. Total Cultivable Area in 8 fertile dists of West Bengal 23,97,853 (42.27% of total Cultivable Area) C.. Total Cultivable Area in 4 less fertile red & lateritic dists of West Bengal 17,47,096 ha(30.79% of total Cultivable Area) Av. Cropping Intensity in 6 Dists of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal 174.51% Av. Cropping Intensity in fertile 8 districts of West Bengal,198.01% Av. Cropping Intensity in 4 less fertile red & lateritic dists of West Bengal 155.85% Gross Cropped Area(2012-13)9458675 ha Size of average Land Holding0.77 ha / Holding

3. Intercropping Pulses during Kharif---Issues with Time & Space  Zone-A: Average Annual Rainfall 2486 mm, 70% of it received during 4 Kharif months.  Zone-B: Average Annual rainfall 1543 mm, 70-75% received during 4 Kharif months,  Zone-C: Average annual rainfall 1420 mm,75-80% received during 4 Kharif months  Heavy rainfall during Kharif may cause water logging in low & medium land situation in all the Zones, posing survivability challenge to pulse crops,  More than 81% of net sown area is occupied by Agro-meteorologically suitable crop Paddy, during Kharif season,  Medium-Upland, Upland & Rice Bund of all the Zones are the only suitable space,  Small Holding Size with narrow Rice Bund pose challenge for Bund sowing,  Post-kharif season for Zones A, B and Kharif season for Zone C is the time,

4. Gradual Increase in Area (‘000 ha)

5. Crop2011-122012-132013-142014-15 Lentil703955959985 Black gram 650700705720 Khesari1033124012531275 Greem gram 647680696815 Total Pulses 774925932951 Enhancement in Yield (Kg/ha)

6. Crop2011-122012-132013-142014-15 Lentil41.68761.10162.74766 Black gram 34.9442.19348.8154 Khesari26.6635.32538.13240 Greem gram 15.515.7821721.6 Total Pulses 154.03201.648215.23236.06 Increase in Production (‘000 mt):

7. Presently we are able to produce about 20% of our requirement of Pulses REQUIREMENT AND PRODUCTION OF PULSES – A COMPARATIVE STATUS OUR GOAL To meet up at least 50% of Pulses requirement through domestic production during next five years,

8. Intercropping of Pulses during Kharif– Cropping Options  Rice- Arhar in Rice Bunds for all Zones,  Maize-black gram/green gram,  Sugarcane-Black Gram,  Green gram – Jute,  Cultivation of Black gram/Green gram in newly planted orchards,  Growing of Khesari/ Lentil as poira/ relay crop in rice fallows

9. Some experiences in West Bengal INTERCROPPING Raising pair row of Black gram (Kalai) in between the rows of maize (75 cm x 18 cm) will yield additional 3.0-4.0 Qtl of Kalai per hectare without hampering the yield of maize in Kharif season Pair row of Kalai accommodated in between the Feb-March planted 95 cm apart sugarcane rows can register addition of 3.0 – 3.5 qtl. of yield of pulse without hampering the yield of the main crop i.e. Sugarcane.

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