With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:

1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.

2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.

3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 1 only.

Let us analyze each statement step-by-step to understand why this is the correct answer:

Statement 1: Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.
This statement is correct. Black gram (commonly known as Urad) is a major pulse crop in India. It is highly adaptable and is cultivated during the Kharif season (monsoon crop) as well as the Rabi season (winter crop, particularly in southern and coastal regions of India where winters are mild), and even as a summer crop (Zaid) in areas with assured irrigation.

Statement 2: Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
This statement is incorrect. Chickpea (Gram or Chana) is the dominant pulse crop in India, accounting for the largest share (typically around 40% to 50%) of total pulse production. Green-gram (Mung bean) accounts for a much smaller share, usually around 8% to 10% of India's total pulse production, not nearly half.

Statement 3: In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.
This statement is incorrect. According to agricultural data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the production of both Kharif and Rabi pulses has generally increased over the last three decades. Rabi pulses (led by Gram/Chickpea) continue to dominate total pulse production and have seen significant growth in yield and production area, rather than a decrease.

Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.