Decomposition of production growth and identification of efficient cropping zones for major pulse crops in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand

The study’s goal is to decompose pulse production growth in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and identify efficient copping zones for both states. The total change in production was decomposed into three effects, i.e., the area effect (ΔA. Y0), the yield effect (ΔY. A0.), and the interaction effect (ΔA. ΔY). The relative spread index (RSI) and relative yield index (RYI) were computed to identify the potential cropping districts for different pulses grown in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. We classified districts into four zones: most efficient, efficient, not efficient, and highly inefficient. A higher RYI corresponds to higher yield districts, and a higher RSI indicates a more cultivated area. Districts with a high relative spread index and a low relative yield index indicate that a particular pulse is not suitable for that district. We suggest addressing production issues through research, marketing, and extension services to enhance the productivity level of pulse crops. The results from Uttar Pradesh are highly encouraging, indicating that the yield effect has primarily contributed to the growth in pulse production. The government’s policies, schemes, and initiatives to promote pulse production and decrease imports are moving in the right direction. According to the methodological analysis, 57 districts are among the most efficient cropping zones for all selected pulse crops in Uttar Pradesh. In the case of Uttarakhand, for all selected pulses, 20 percent of districts come under the most efficient cropping zone, and 20 percent of districts come under the most efficient cropping zone. The highest 40 percent of districts fell under highly inefficient cropping zones. Lack of high-quality inputs, technology adoption, and poor market and extension services may be the reasons for low productivity in these districts. An increase in productivity with low costs could help the country reduce imports of pulses and check the flow of foreign currency.