Table of Contents
Introduction
Red gram, commonly known as pigeon pea or tur, is one of the most important pulses in India. It is a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine, widely used in dishes like dal, sambar, and curries. Besides being a rich source of protein, red gram plays a crucial role in soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, benefiting sustainable agriculture. India is the largest producer, consumer, and importer of red gram, highlighting its significance in both domestic consumption and trade.
In the 2021-22 season, India produced approximately 4,220.19 kilotonnes of red gram, making it a vital crop for millions of farmers across the country.
Now, let’s explore the top 10 red gram-producing states in India for the year 2021-22 in detail.

Top 10 Red Gram-Producing States in India
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Uttar Pradesh
- Gujarat
- Jharkhand
- Telangana
- Madhya Pradesh
- Odisha
- Andhra Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu

Maharashtra

Maharashtra ranks first in Red Gram production in India in 2021-22, with a total output of 1,391.17 kilotonnes. Red Gram was cultivated over approximately 13,351 km² in the state. The major Red Gram-producing regions in Maharashtra are Jalgaon, Latur, Mumbai, and Akola.
Karnataka

Karnataka ranks second in Red Gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 1,144.85 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated across 17,190 km² in the state. The major Red Gram-producing regions in Karnataka include Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Bidar, and Yadgir.
Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh holds the third position in Red Gram production in 2021-22, with an output of 354.67 kilotonnes. The crop was grown over an area of 2,900 km². The key Red Gram-producing regions in Uttar Pradesh are Kanpur, Hathras, Hardoi, and Agra.
Gujarat

Gujarat ranks fourth in Red Gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 291.23 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated over approximately 2,508.4 km² in the state. The major Red Gram-producing regions in Gujarat include Surat, Bharuch, and parts of the Saurashtra region.
Jharkhand

Jharkhand ranks fifth in Red Gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 286.36 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated across 2,536.4 km² in the state. The key Red Gram-producing regions in Jharkhand include Gumla, Palamu, Simdega, and Garhwa.

Telangana

Telangana ranks sixth in Red Gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 241.47 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated across 3,140 km² in the state. The major Red Gram-producing regions in Telangana include Mahbubnagar, Adilabad, Ranga Reddy, and Medak.
Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh ranks seventh in Red Gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 189.90 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated over 2,250 km² in the state. The key Red Gram-producing regions in Madhya Pradesh include Jabalpur, Nimar, and Vidisha.
Odisha

Odisha ranks eighth in Red Gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 130.60 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated over 1,260.6 km² in the state. The major Red Gram-producing regions in Odisha include Cuttack, Puri, Kalahandi, and Koraput.
Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh holds the ninth position in Red Gram production in 2021-22, with an output of 68.02 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated over an area of 2,510 km² in the state. The key Red Gram-producing regions in Andhra Pradesh include Prakasam and Kurnool.
Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu ranks tenth in Red Gram production in 2021-22, with a total output of 45.22 kilotonnes. The crop was cultivated over 483.1 km² in the state. The major Red Gram-producing regions in Tamil Nadu include Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, and Salem.

Top 10 States in India Based on Red Gram Productivity
- Kerala
- Bihar
- West Bengal
- Meghalaya
- Uttar Pradesh
- Haryana
- Gujarat
- Jharkhand
- Uttarakhand
- Maharashtra
Fun Facts About Red Gram
- India is the largest producer and consumer of red gram.
- Red gram has been cultivated for over 3,000 years in South Asia.
- The two commonly consumed forms of red gram are split dal and fresh green pods.
- Red gram is highly drought-resistant, making it ideal for cultivation in semi-arid and dry regions with unpredictable rainfall.
- Besides India, major red gram-producing countries include Malawi, Myanmar, Tanzania, and Haiti.
- Red gram is a leguminous crop, and the plants improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, benefiting crop rotation and sustainable farming systems.
- Red gram contains 18-22% protein, making it one of the richest plant-based protein sources, especially beneficial for vegetarian diets.
Common FAQs
Q. Which state was the largest producer of Red Gram in India in 2021-22?
A. Maharashtra ranked first in Red Gram production in India in 2021-22, with a total output of 1,391.17 kilotonnes.
Q. Which state ranked second in Red Gram production in India in 2021-22?
A. Karnataka secured the second position with a production of 1,144.85 kilotonnes in India in 2021-22.
Q. What are the top five Red Gram-producing states in India in 2021-22?
A. The top five Red Gram-producing states in India in 2021-22 were Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Jharkhand.
Q. Which state had the largest area under Red Gram cultivation in India in 2021-22?
A. Karnataka had the largest cultivated area of 17,190 km² under Red Gram in India in 2021-22.
Q. What was the total area under Red Gram cultivation in India in 2021-22?
A. In 2021-22, Red Gram was cultivated over 49,002.6 km² across India.
Q. What is the scientific name of Red Gram?
A. The scientific name of Red Gram is Cajanus cajan.
Q. To which botanical family does Red Gram belong?
A. Red Gram belongs to the Fabaceae family.
Q. What are the common Indian names for Red Gram?
A. Tur, Arhar, and Kandi Pappu are a few common Indian names for Red Gram.
