CAZRI moth bean varieties withstand a 35-day dry spell in western Rajasthan
On 13 September 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture said four moth bean varieties developed by ICAR–CAZRI, Jodhpur, showed strong resilience during a 35-day dry spell in Kharif 2026, an El Niño year.
Summary
ICAR–Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur, released four moth bean varieties in the last three years: CAZRI Moth-4, Moth-5, Moth-6 and Moth-7. During Kharif 2026, an El Niño year, rain stopped after 3 August, and the crops faced a 35-day dry spell until 7 September that coincided with flowering and pod formation. The varieties stayed green and set pods well at about 55 days after sowing, helped by developmental plasticity: they begin flowering about 30 days after sowing and adjust growth and maturity to soil moisture. Moth bean is grown on nearly 10 lakh hectares in western Rajasthan, but average yield is only about 350 kg per hectare because of 150–250 mm erratic rainfall. ICAR Director General M. L. Jat said the varieties could help make the Thar Desert more prosperous.
Key facts
- Institute
- ICAR–CAZRI, Jodhpur
- Varieties
- CAZRI Moth-4, Moth-5, Moth-6, Moth-7 (released in last 3 years)
- Stress
- 35-day dry spell, 3 Aug – 7 Sep 2026 (Kharif, El Niño year)
- Trait
- Developmental plasticity; flowering ~30 days after sowing
- Crop context
- ~10 lakh ha in western Rajasthan; yield ~350 kg/ha
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where is the ICAR–Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), which developed drought-resilient moth bean varieties, located?
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Correct answer: B — Jodhpur
ICAR–CAZRI is located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
How long was the dry spell that CAZRI moth bean varieties withstood during Kharif 2026?
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Correct answer: C — About 35 days
The varieties withstood a 35-day dry spell from 3 August to 7 September 2026.
Consider the following about moth bean in western Rajasthan: 1. It is grown on nearly 10 lakh hectares in the region. 2. Its average productivity in the region is above 1,000 kg per hectare. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Moth bean covers nearly 10 lakh hectares, but its productivity is low at about 350 kg per hectare because of erratic rainfall.