Pulses constitute an important source of protein for most Pakistanis, the country is still deficient in them. Every year, a considerable amount of pulses have to be imported from abroad. In 1997-8 for example, about 1.2 million tonnes of pulses costing a total of Rs 1753 million had to be imported.
Gram, moong, mash, masoor and peas are among the important pulses grown in Pakistan, Gram is the most important of these, accounting for 70 percent of the pulse growing areas and 70 percent of the total production. Gram is followed in importance by moong and peas, constituting 10 percent, and mash and masoor, constituting 4 percent , of the total pulse growning area.
Punjab accounts for 75 percent of the total pulse growing area and 70 percent of its production. Peas are the only pulses that are grown in greater quantities in Sindh. After Punjab, Sindh is the second largest producer of pulses at 18 percent of both area and production, followed by the NWFT and Balochistn.
In general, pulses can be grown in barani areas. The eastern and northern districts of Punjab, along with Bahawalnagar, are important pulse growing areas, as are the the eastern and western borders of Sindh. Masoor is the only pulse which is widely grown throughout Punjab.