Temporal Instability and Growth Trends of Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) in India: A Period-Wise Analysis from 2000 to 2021

Lentil is an essential source of protein, fiber, and other vital nutrients that lower the risk of heart disease, and has enormous health benefits. At global level, India holds second position in lentil production. Considering the given fact, the main focus of this paper is to investigate the instability and growth rates in area, production, and yield of lentil in India. The level of instability in lentil is measured using Cuddy-Della Valle (CDV) instability index, and the growth rates in area, production, and yield of lentil for the investigation period 2000-2021 were measured using compound growth rates (CGRs). The comparative analysis has been made across three periods viz., period-I (2000-2010), period-II (2011-2021), and the overall period (2000-2021). The results of the investigation revealed that, during the overall period, lentil witnessed highest instability in production (i.e., 12.47 %) and least instability in area (i.e., 5.73 %). Moreover, in terms of growth rate, the period-II witnessed significant growth in production (i.e., 1.90 %) and yield (i.e., 2.87 %), as compared to the period-I. Lentil production is very much affected by enormous factors like extreme weather conditions, inefficient farming practices and market fluctuations. Furthermore, lentils are sometimes grown as a secondary crop with less priority as compared to other pulse crops, which is the major reason for instability in lentil. The findings of the investigation could be effectively used by policymakers and scientists for enhancing lentil production, and the creation of trade-related policies.