Rajasthan moong output up 25%

Production of moong bean in Rajasthan this year is likely to be around 25 per cent higher than last year's output of 7 million bags of 100 kg each, traders said.

With conducive rainfall in parts of Rajasthan, production of moong bean, also known as green or golden bean, is expected to touch 8.75-9 million bags. "Looking at the standing crop, I expect a bumper production this season," Shyam Saboo, a trader, said.

"I feel production should be higher by 20-25 per cent over last year," he said. Echoing similar views, Kamal Jain, another trader, said production looks higher and the quality also looks good. "However, if it rains in the next 7-15 days, it may hit the quality of the crop," Jain said. "With a record production expected, chances are that in the short term, moong prices would rule easy," Jain added.

Om Prakash, a trader, said moong prices are expected to come down after arrivals of new crop start picking up in the mandis here. "Prices have already started easing in anticipation of a bumper crop and are seen further down once the new crop starts trickling in," he said.

Prices, which were hovering around Rs 2,400-2,600 per 100 kg in the last 15 days, have come down to Rs 2,000-2,200 in the last couple of days. Traders see prices falling further by Rs 100-200 in 15-20 days.