Bundelkhand region contributes more than half of total pulse area of the Uttar Pradesh state but the productivity is below the state average, which calls for various technological interventions, development of infrastructure and marketing strategies. This study assessed the profitability of pulse cultivation, identified the constraints and suggested policy measures using the data collected during 2016-2017 from 100 pulse growers selected from two backward districts of Bundelkhand region, namely Jalaun and Hamirpur. Growth in area, production and yield was estimated using data for 1980-2015 through compound annual growth rate and the highest growth was observed during 1980-1990 period. Modern cost concepts were used to assess the profitability of pulse cultivation and results revealed that the cost of cultivation per hectare was significantly higher in pigeon pea in comparison to gram, pea and lentil crops. The marketing charges paid by the village trader, wholesaler and retailer ranged between INR 20 to INR 40 per quintal for different crops. It was also observed that the quantum of marketable surplus and its percentage share to total production in pigeon pea, gram and lentil increased with the increase in size of land holding. The pulse production in the region faced with constraints related to production, processing and marketing. Hence, technologies and infrastructure need to be embraced through suitable policies to favour farmers, so as to maintain balance and keep the interest of both producers and the consumers.

Cereals occupy prime position in diet composition of all human beings, with rice, wheat and maize being the major staple cereals with more than 70% share among all the food grains. With the inception of green revolution, India from being a food deficit and net importer of food grains not only became self reliant but also one of the major exporters of food grains with the adoption of modern wheat and rice varieties. Thus the present study was undertaken to analyze the trends in area, production and productivity of rice, wheat and maize for the period 1990-91 to 2012-13 obtaining data from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and coefficient of variation were also used to see the growth patterns and instability in the production and productivity of these cereals overtime. The results showed that in both rice and wheat instability increased in area, production and productivity but most of the states registered an increasing growth trends during the period. Notably Maize showed increase in area, yield and production since 2000 due to its increasing demand for industrial usage and had significant growth in the decade due to its growing commercial value with emergence of promising new hybrids. The study points out to the significant intervention of policy to helpmaintain stability in case of major cereals of India’s food security.

Coarse grains like Bajra and Jowar has a greater role to play in improving small and marginal farmers conditions in arid and semi arid regions in adapting to regions having permanent climatic and geographical impediments. Growth patterns and instability in production and productivity of these crops over the time was studied using the compound annual growth rate and coefficient of variation. The analysis shows the changing cropping pattern in the country from coarse grains to high cash crops, which is reflected by decline in area of coarse grains by 15 per cent in 2000's, however, the productivity is on the rise in both Bajra and Jowar due to release of improved hybrids and varieties by public and private sector research in response to their industrial and nutritional value as Nutri-cereals. But relation of yield with relative instability in most of the states, growing Jowar and Bajra has been increasing over the period, which is a matter of serious concern. Hence, the study points out to the significant policy interventions to maintain the stability of coarse grains along with production in the wake of its increasing nutritional and commercial value in suiting to the fragile environmental conditions.

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