The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has highlighted the performance of four new moth bean varieties developed by the ICAR–Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur. These varieties weathered a severe dry spell during the monsoon season of 2026, offering hope for farmers in western Rajasthan where this pulse crop is widely grown but productivity remains low.
What was tested and what the numbers show
Moth bean covers nearly 10 lakh hectares in hot arid regions of western Rajasthan, yet produces only around 350 kg per hectare. Low rainfall, unpredictable weather and prolonged dry spells are the main obstacles. CAZRI released four new varieties—CAZRI Moth-4, CAZRI Moth-5, CAZRI Moth-6 and CAZRI Moth-7—over the last three years.
During Kharif 2026, these varieties faced a 35-day rainless period from 3 August to 7 September. Between 10 July and 2 September, the crops experienced 317 mm of cumulative pan evaporation. The last significant rainfall of 86 mm fell on 2 August. After that, only scattered showers of less than 2.5 mm each occurred.
Despite these harsh conditions, the varieties showed remarkable resilience. They maintained green foliage, continued normal growth, and developed pods profusely around 55 days after sowing—a period that coincided with flowering and reproductive stages.
Seed production is underway on seven hectares at CAZRI to produce 23.32 quintals in 2026. The Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation, National Seeds Corporation and private seed companies are multiplying these varieties. One quintal of breeder seed can generate 1,000 to 1,400 quintals of certified seed, potentially covering around 10,000 hectares of cultivation.
What this means for you
If you farm moth bean in Rajasthan’s arid regions, these new varieties offer a practical advantage during dry years. They can adjust their growth pace based on soil moisture availability, a trait called developmental plasticity, which helps them flower and produce pods even when rains fail. Combined with standard practices like timely sowing, proper spacing and weed management, these varieties could improve your yields in unpredictable seasons. Seed availability is increasing through official channels.