Production and Trade Performance of Blackgram (Vigna mungo) and Greengram (Vigna radiata) in India and Myanmar

Abstract

Black gram and green gram are important legume crops in India and Myanmar. The largest producer of black gram and green gram is India but it does not meet domestic consumption. The study was conducted with time series data from the year 1970 to 2019 in order to work out the growth patterns in area, production, productivity, export and import of black gram and green gram. CAGR and instability was calculated in order to better understand fluctuations of black gram and green gram year by year. Area and production increased in both countries from the year 1970-71 to 2018-19. However, the yield of black gram and green gram was stagnant in India which was over 500 kg/ha in 2018-19 whereas the yield in Myanmar was more than 1000 kg/ha during the same period. The yield gap between India and Myanmar was about 800 kg/ha. With a growing population and often unfavorable seasonal conditions, the country's production regularly fell short of consumption needs requiring it to import large quantities of pulses. Cropping patterns like rice-pulses, intercropping with other crops and HYV can improve productivity and expand pulse areas in India. India is the largest importer of black gram and has greater bargaining power to dominate the black gram market in Myanmar. Trade agreement is needed to overcome the risks of price fluctuation between the two countries.