Context
- ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur developed four moth bean varieties- CAZRI Moth-4, 5, 6 & 7– that withstood a 35-day dry spell during Kharif 2026, showing strong potential for climate-resilient agriculture in western Rajasthan.
What is Moth Bean?
- Moth bean is an important Kharif pulse crop of the hot arid regions of western Rajasthan, cultivated over nearly 10 lakh hectares.
- Native to South Asia, it is primarily cultivated in hot, rainfed and marginal desert regions, particularly the Thar Desert of western Rajasthan, as well as parts of Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab.
- Planted at the onset of the monsoon rains around June or July and harvested in September or October.
- Highly drought-resistant and suited for hot, arid, or semi-arid regions.
Significance
- Nutritional Security: Provides plant-based protein, essential amino acids and minerals, particularly benefiting resource-poor rural communities in desert regions.
- Livestock Support: Offers protein-rich green and dry fodder (pala) for livestock during post-monsoon and drought periods.
- Dryland Agriculture: Supports crop rotation and mixed cropping while contributing to sand-dune stabilisation.
- Climate Resilience: Its adaptability to harsh arid conditions strengthens dryland farming systems amid increasing climate variability.
- Pulse Self-Reliance: Contributes to India’s efforts towards greater self-sufficiency in pulse production.
About CAZRI
- Full Name: Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI).
- Headquarter: Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
- Ministry: It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of Government of India.
- Focus: It conducts research on agriculture and natural-resource management in arid and desert regions.
- Significance: CAZRI develops climate-resilient crops and technologies suited to the harsh and water-scarce conditions of arid regions.
| Important Current to Concept (CTC) from this article for UPSC Moth Bean El-Nino |
Q. With reference to CAZRI-developed moth bean varieties, consider the following statements:
1. Moth bean is an important pulse crop of the hot arid regions of western Rajasthan.
2. Developmental plasticity enables the varieties to adjust their growth according to available soil moisture.
3. The CAZRI varieties demonstrated resilience during a prolonged dry spell during Kharif 2026.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
• Statement 1 – Correct: Moth bean is an important pulse crop of the hot arid regions of western Rajasthan.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Developmental plasticity allows the crop to adjust growth and maturity according to environmental conditions and soil-moisture availability.
• Statement 3 – Correct: The varieties withstood a prolonged 35-day dry spell during Kharif 2026.