Lentils cultivation in India

What if  you get to know that  a food is so versatile that it can transform into a hearty soup, a vibrant salad, or even a savory curry. 

Welcome to the enchanting world of lentils! These tiny, lens-shaped wonders have been a staple in cuisines around the globe for thousands of years, and for good reason. 

Not only are lentils a nutritional powerhouse, but they also hold a special place in history and culture.

During the stone age era around 7000 BC lentils became part of the diet for humans. They were a staple in ancient Greece and Rome, and their significance extends beyond the plate.  

The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's oldest urban cultures, also consumed lentils, which later evolved into the popular Indian dish known as "daal" which means lentil cultivation spread to India around 2000 BC, becoming a staple food during the Harappan Period (2800 BC). Let's understand deeply about lentils.

What are lentils

Lentils are the edible seeds of a small annual legume plant, Lens culinaris, belonging to the pea family (Fabaceae). They are renowned for their nutritional value and culinary versatility. 

There are several types of lentils but the size of all them varies from between 15 to 75 cm tall. They have many branches and compound leaves with leaflets arranged in pairs along the stem. 

Lentils are typically sown during the rabi season, which spans from November to April. The exact sowing time can vary slightly depending on the region's climate. 

ALos the crop duration of lentils ranges between 100 to 120 days from sowing to harvesting. However, this can vary based on factors such as climate, soil conditions, and specific varieties used.

There are so many  lentil producing states in india which have their own characteristics some of major producing states are : 

1. Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh is mainly famous for accounting of approximately 36.43% of India's lentil production, with a yield of about 0.47 million tonnes from 0.49 million hectares, specially the region of bundelkhand which is also Known as the "lentil bowl," this region contributes significantly to the state's production.
2. Madhya pradesh: This state is considered as the second largest state of lentil producers as it Contributes about 34.55% of India's lentil production, with a yield of 0.44 million tonnes from 0.49 million hectares, and also has better irrigation facilities compared to some other states.
3. West Bengal: West bengal Contributes about 10.53% to India's lentil production and mainly focuses on improving yield through better crop management and irrigation.
4. Bihar: Bihar is a significant producer of lentils, contributing about 8.84% to India's total lentil production. In the financial year 2021, pulses production in Bihar, including lentils, was over 376,000 metric tons. The  average yield of lentils in Bihar is around 850 kg/ha. 
5. Jharkhand: Jharkhand is considered as the  one of the smaller but significant producers as it contributes about 4.50% to India's total lentil production. There has been variability in lentil production over the years, influenced by factors like weather conditions and pest management.

Also Read: Green Gram (Moong Dal) Cultivation in India – Types, Process & Benefits

Different types of lentils grow in India 

In India, several types of lentils are grown, each with its unique characteristics and uses. Here are some of the most common types:

Red lentils: Red Lentils are also known as masoor dal in Indian local language and also considered as the staple in Indian cuisine and are renowned for their nutritional value and versatility. 

Masoor dal seeds are small, typically around 2-3 mm in diameter.  Whole masoor dal is firmer and takes longer to cook than split masoor dal. Split masoor dal is softer and cooks quickly. Masoor dal has a mild, slightly sweet flavor, making it versatile for various recipes.

Black gram: Black gram are mostly famous with the Indian name Urad daal are mostly considered as a staple legume in South Asian cuisine, particularly in India. Whole urad dal has a black skin covering a creamy white interior. When split and dehulled, it is white in color.

The black gram plant is an erect or trailing annual bush, growing between 30 to 100 cm tall. It has hairy leaves and produces cylindrical pods up to 6 cm long. It is also counted as one of the richest sources of protein among legumes, making it a favorite among vegetarians and vegans.

Green gram or green lentils: They are also known as moong daal in India which is considered as a versatile legume with numerous health benefits and culinary uses. Whole mung beans are small, round, and olive-green with a mustard or off-white interior. When split and dehulled, they appear yellow.

The plant is characteristic of moong davaris from others as it is an erect or semi-erect annual with compound leaves and small yellow or greenish flowers. It is a fast-growing plant that adds nitrogen to the soil through nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its roots.

Black lentils: Black lentils, commonly referred to as Beluga lentils due to their resemblance to Beluga caviar, are a type of small, jet-black lentil. They are known for their unique appearance, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility. lentils are small, round, and jet-black, resembling Beluga caviar.

Black lentils are high in protein, with approximately 24-26 grams per 100 grams, making them an excellent plant-based protein source, and it tastes superb which is mild and earthy, with a slightly nutty taste.

Also Read: Types of Millets in India: Benefits and Purpose of Cultivating

How Lentils are Grown ? 

The cultivation of lentils involves several steps, from soil preparation to harvesting. Here's an overview of the process:

1. Field and soil preparation: The field should be ploughed 2-3 times to ensure it is friable and weed-free. Mixing well-decomposed farm yard manure into the soil enhances fertility. They mainly thrive in well-drained loam soils with a neutral pH (around 6-7). Acidic soils are not suitable for lentil cultivation. 
2. Sowing process:  Seeds are sown at a depth of 3-5 cm, with a spacing of about 30 cm between rows and 5-10 cm between plants, and usually the seed rate varies between 30-40 kg/ha, increasing to 50-60 kg/ha under late sowing conditions. In India  lentils are typically sown during the rabi season, from late October to early November. 
3. Irrigation: Lentils require about 300-400 mm of rainfall or irrigation during their growth cycle. They are moderately drought-resistant but benefit from 1-3 irrigations depending on soil moisture. The crucial stage for the irrigation to lentils lies during the flowering and pod formation stages. 
4. Fertilizers and weed management: Fertilizers are applied at sowing time, typically N:P:K in the ratio of 20:50:20 kg/ha. Additional nutrients like zinc and lime may be applied as foliar sprays and after the crops grown in field chemical herbicides like fluchloralin are used, followed by hand weeding at about 30 days after sowing.
5. Harvesting: Lentils are harvested about 100 days after sowing, when the plants turn yellow and the seeds rattle in the pods also can be cut and swathed into windrows before threshing or straight-cut using a combine harvester.