Kharif tur area dn 0.2% on yr at 4.2 mln ha.

Indias tur acreage was down 0.2% on year at 4.2 mln ha. Area in Maharashtra, the largest producer, fell by 4.4% to 1.2 mln ha due to erratic rainfall. In Madhya Pradesh, another major grower of pulses, tur area was down 1.6% at 625,000 ha. Farmers have shifted to soybean and paddy from pulses this year in Madhya Pradesh due to expectation of better returns from these crops. However, in Karnataka, the acreage has been higher due to good rainfall this year in the state. Area under tur in Karnataka was up 16.8% on year at 947,000 ha.