Due to the decline in its current production, good quality Bengal gram will fetch a price of Rs.75 to Rs. 80 per kg during harvest time, so farmers are advised to take appropriate sowing decision.

The country may face a shortfall of 11 lakh tons of Bengal gram due to floods and droughts in the states growing the legume, and the demand would be met through imports from Tanzania, Russia and Australia.

This would result in a rising price trend in the coming months, even as 3.75 lakh tons of black gram have been imported so far. Considering this, the Price Forecasting Scheme of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University analysed the price of Bengal gram over the past 13 years in the Udumalpet regulated market in the state and arrived at the price of Rs.75 to Rs. 80 per kg.

Bengal gram is the third important food legume across the world and India is the largest producer with about 63 per cent of the total area under Bengal gram production lying in India.

Major growing states are Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is cultivated in an area of 81.17 lakh hectares with a production of 59.01 lakh tons during 2015-2016; all the states take up sowing of Bengal gram, both desi and Kabuli, in the Rabi season and harvest it from February to April.