Hisar varsity awarded for moong bean research

Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) has been conferred the Best Centre Award for its outstanding work in moong bean research by the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Kharif Pulses, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The award was received by Dr Rajesh Yadav, Head of the Pulses Section, during the AICRP annual group meeting held at SKNAU, RARI, Durgapura-Jaipur.

Vice Chancellor Professor B R Kamboj congratulated the university team and credited the achievement to the unwavering dedication of its scientists. He noted that the award acknowledges HAU’s significant contributions to the development of moong bean varieties and associated technologies. To date, the university has released nine high-yielding, disease-resistant and high-quality moong bean varieties.

Dean of the College of Agriculture, Dr SK Pahuja, emphasised that three major moong bean varieties—MH 1142, MH 1762 and MH 1772—have been developed over the last five years. Among these, MH 421 has had the most far-reaching impact, significantly boosting mung bean cultivation, particularly in Rajasthan, which accounts for nearly half of the country’s moong bean production. From 2017 to 2020, MH 421 was cultivated in approximately 20–25 per cent of moong bean-growing areas across India, thereby enhancing overall productivity.

Following MH 421, the MH 1142 variety was released in 2020 and has emerged as the most widely cultivated moong bean variety in the country over the past two years. The most recent addition, MH 1762, introduced in 2024, is also gaining rapid popularity, especially in Rajasthan, where demand for the variety continues to rise.

According to breeder seed production data from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, HAU-developed moong bean varieties currently account for about 20–25 per cent of the moong bean cultivation area across India.