chana - NCDEX

CHANAChana, also called Bengal gram or chick pea, is the premiere pulse crop in theIndian subcontinent. India is the largest consumer and producer of chana in theworld. The two popular varieties of chana in India are Desi and Kabuli. The desivariety is usually split and relatively small with thick seed coat. Kabuli is cream incolour, relatively large in size with thin seed coat.Bengal gram is widely appreciated as health food. It is a protein rich supplement tocereal based diet in India where large sections of population are either vegetarianor cannot afford animal proteins.USES AND NUTRITIONAL VALUEWhole chana is split into chana dal and ground to make flour popularly calledbesan apart from being consumed in varied forms with daily Indian meals. Chanais a good source of carbohydrate, and protein.CULTIVATION AND SEASONALITYChana is a Rabi crop sown during the winter months in India. Fertile sandy and loam soil with good drainage is required forcultivation. Cooler climate and low rainfall suits chana cultivation. The peak arrival period is March - April at the mandis inIndia.THE CROP CALENDARDOMESTIC SCENARIOChana constitutes 50 per cent of all pulses produced by volume in IndiaSHARE OF CHANA IN TOTAL PULSES PRODUCED BY VOLUME IN 2009-10Source: Ministry of Agriculture, GOINote: Data is fourth Advance Estimate by the Ministry2