Moong acreage up 7.5% on year at 3.4 mln ha.

Moong acreage across the country rose 7.5% on year to 3.43 mln ha, largely due to a rise in area under the crop in Rajasthan and Karnataka. In Rajasthan, the largest grower, area under the crop jumped 22.5% on year to 1.92 mln ha. The government’s effort to boost pulses production and an increase in minium support prices has pushed moong acreage higher. The Centre has raised the minimum support price for moong for 2018-19 by a steep 50%. Rajasthan’s moong crop is in good condition and no major pest attack or disease has been reported so far.