Scientific Lentil Production

As The 68th UN General Assembly declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (IYP) and The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been nominated to facilitate the implementation of the Year in collaboration with Governments, relevant organizations, non-governmental organizations and all other relevant stakeholders. This is the right time to brought out a book on the lentil one of the most diverse and important cool season food pulses. According to a Hindu proverb "Rice is good, but lentils are my life". Pulses are the major source of dietary protein to the majority of Indian population and contribute significantly to the nutritional security of the country. India is the largest producer, consumer, importer and processor of pulses in the world. Ironically, the country's pulse production has been hovering around 14- 15 Mt, coming from a near-stagnated area of 22- 23 M ha, since 1990-91. Global, top lentil producers are Canada, India, Turkey and the United States. Canada is the leading lentil exporting nation. The major importing countries are Spain, Colombia, Egypt, Algeria and Sri Lanka. India, Turkey, Ethiopia, China, Syria, Iran and Bangladesh are among the top ten producers. In 2010 the area of lentil worldwide was 4.2 million hectares and the average worldwide yield was 1.1 metric tons per hectare. India ranked first in the area and second in the production with 35.57% and 23.94% of world area and production respectively with productivity of 697 kg/ha well below the world average (1103kg/ha). Uttar Pradesh is major contributors shares half of the total lentil production followed by Madhya Pradesh contributing ¼ of total lentil production of India. There is urgent need of best agronomic practices to improve lentil production, including INM, IPM, IWM etc. Lentil is in general pest free crop under normal condition if proper crop rotation is follows. However, Pod borer, Aphids and Wilt (Fusarium lentis) are major insects and disease pests to be address in efficient manner. This book contains 32 chapters covering all major aspects related to lentil production to consumption.