Trends in supply and demand of pulses with special reference to chickpea

Abstract

World production of pulses is equal to only about three per cent of world cereal production, but pulse prices are about twice as high as those of cereals, and in developing countries even higher. Here, pulses contribute about ten per cent of per caput average daily protein consumption.

Pulse production has been stagnant or declining over the last two decades, thus reducing the availability of protein from these crops, especially to low income consumers. However, potential for increasing productivity and production of pulses exists not only through research, plant breeding and in extension: improving market channels and inter-regional and international trade of pulses are also likely to contribute substantially to future increases in pulse supplies.