Tur (Arhar)

Tur, also called arhar, is the second most important pulse crop grown in India. It is known by other common names — red gram or pigeon pea. Understanding where and how this crop is grown tells us a lot about the challenges facing pulse production in the country.

Tur is typically cultivated on marginal lands, meaning soils that are not very fertile, and under rainfed conditions — that is, without irrigation. This makes it a crop of the dry areas, especially in the central and southern states of India. Because it depends entirely on rainfall, its yield per hectare is very low, and the production from year to year is inconsistent. A good monsoon means a decent harvest; a poor one means a sharp drop.

In terms of area, tur occupies only about 2 per cent of India's total cropped area. That is a very small share for the country's second most important pulse. The leading producer by a wide margin is Maharashtra, which alone contributes roughly one-third of the total tur production in India. The other major producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. …