Introduction: The King of Pulses in the State
Red Gram (Tur) is the most important and extensively grown pulse crop in Andhra Pradesh. The state is one of the leading producers of Tur in India, and this protein-rich pulse is a staple in Indian kitchens, making it a crucial crop for both food security and the agricultural economy.
1. Importance and Ranking
National Leader: Andhra Pradesh consistently ranks among the top three Tur-producing states in India, alongside Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Dietary Staple: As a primary source of plant-based protein, Tur is a vital component of the daily diet, especially in vegetarian households.
Soil Enricher: Being a leguminous crop, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, improving soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. This makes it an excellent crop for rotation.
2. Major Growing Regions
Tur is well-suited to the state’s diverse agro-climatic conditions, particularly the drier regions.
Prakasam District: Often considered the Tur heartland of Andhra Pradesh. It has the largest area and production in the state.
Kurnool District: A major contributor to the state’s Tur output.
Anantapur District: Grown extensively in the rain-fed conditions of this district.
Kadapa (Y.S.R.) District: Another key district for Tur cultivation.
Other Districts: Significant cultivation also occurs in parts of Guntur, Chittoor, and Nellore.
3. Agro-Climatic Conditions and Varieties
Climate: Tur is a hardy, drought-tolerant crop that thrives in warm, semi-arid climates. It can withstand dry spells better than many other crops.
Soil: It grows best in well-drained, sandy loam to loamy soils. It does not perform well in heavy, waterlogged soils.
Rainfall: It is predominantly grown as a Kharif crop and requires an annual rainfall of 600-700 mm. However, its deep root system allows it to survive in low-rainfall areas.
Cropping Systems:
Sole Crop: Grown exclusively in a field.
Intercropping: This is a very common and profitable practice in Andhra Pradesh. Tur is famously intercropped with Cotton, Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), and sometimes with oilseeds. This system reduces risk and maximizes land use.
Popular Varieties: Farmers grow a mix of traditional and high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties.
Short Duration (120-140 days): PRG-158, WRG-53, Asha (ICPL 87119)
Medium Duration (160-180 days): LRG-41, WRP-1, PRG-176
Long Duration (180+ days): Traditionally grown local varieties.
4. The Cultivation Cycle
Sowing (June – July): Sowing is done with the onset of the monsoon rains.
Growing Period (July – November): The crop goes through vegetative growth, flowering, and pod formation. This period is critical for yield.
Harvesting (December – February): The crop is ready for harvest when the pods turn dry and brown. The plants are either cut close to the ground or uprooted manually.
Threshing: The dried plants are beaten to separate the grains from the pods. This is often done by trampling under bullocks or using mechanical threshers.
5. Economic and Agricultural Importance
Farmer’s Income: Tur is a valuable cash crop. A good harvest provides a significant source of income for farmers in the rain-fed areas of Rayalaseema and Prakasam.
Minimum Support Price (MSP): The Government of India announces an MSP for Tur to protect farmers from price crashes, making it a relatively secure investment.
Price Volatility: Despite MSP, the market price of Tur can be highly volatile, influenced by national production, import policies, and demand.
Role in Crop Rotation: Its nitrogen-fixing ability makes it an essential part of sustainable crop rotations, benefiting subsequent crops like cereals.
6. Major Challenges
Tur cultivation in Andhra Pradesh faces several significant challenges:
Pest Infestations:
Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera): This is the most destructive pest, causing direct damage to the pods and seeds.
Pod Fly: Another major pest that infests developing pods.
Plume Moth: The larvae feed on flowers and pods.
Diseases:
Wilt: A soil-borne fungal disease that causes the plant to wilt and die.
Sterility Mosaic Disease (SMD): A viral disease transmitted by mites that causes sterility in flowers, leading to massive yield loss.
Erratic Monsoon: Delayed rains, long dry spells, or unseasonal rains during flowering or harvesting can severely impact yield.
Fluctuating Yields: Yields can be inconsistent from year to year due to the above biotic (pests/diseases) and abiotic (weather) stresses.
Government Initiatives and The Way Forward
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Promotion of IPM strategies, including the use of bio-pesticides, pheromone traps, and the conservation of natural predators, to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.
Disease-Resistant Varieties: The Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) and state agricultural universities are continuously developing and promoting high-yielding varieties that are resistant to wilt and Sterility Mosaic Disease.
National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses: This government scheme provides support for quality seeds, seed treatment, and micronutrients to enhance productivity.
Procurement Operations: The government, through agencies like NAFED, actively procures Tur at MSP to ensure farmers get a remunerative price.
Conclusion
Red Gram (Tur) is not just a crop in Andhra Pradesh; it is a lifeline for farmers in the semi-arid regions. It provides nutritional security, sustains soil health, and supports rural economies. While challenges from pests and climate are formidable, the combination of improved varieties, scientific farming practices, and government support is key to stabilizing and increasing Tur production, ensuring Andhra Pradesh retains its status as a pulse powerhouse of India.
