Mung bean farming is a popular choice among Indian farmers because it is both economical and sustainable. That’s because it has a short growth cycle and requires less water and fertilisers to produce high-quality yields. Farmers are now adopting sustainable practices in mung bean cultivation, such as effective irrigation and the use of climate-resistant seeds. These practices help farmers improve the quality of mung beans and reduce the agricultural impact of the farming process.

In this blog, we explore seven effective sustainable farming practices for mung bean cultivation in India. Additionally, we will also discuss the popular tractors, such as Powertrac 439, that are suitable for sustainable mung bean farming.

Top Effective Sustainable Farming Methods for Mung Bean Cultivation

Traditional farming practices harm the environment by using excessive water & chemicals and degrade natural resources. Therefore, it is important to perform sustainable agriculture to protect the environment and reduce operating costs.

If you want to farm mung beans the sustainable way in India, here are seven proven practices to follow:

Perform Minimum Tillage

A sustainable farming practice involves minimum tillage, which means disturbing the soil as little as possible. Minimum tillage is eco-friendly because it:

Improves soil health
preserves moisture
Protects beneficial soil organisms.

Avoiding deep tillage reduces soil erosion and diesel use. In addition, light tillage also helps retain organic matter, which is helpful in improving soil structure and fertility.
Use medium tractors like the Powertrac 439 Plus, which provide 41 HP. This horsepower can efficiently handle implements like rotavators and cultivators used for minimum tillage.

Use of Climate-Resilient Seeds

For higher yield with limited resources, use climate-resistant mung bean varieties, like Lam Pesara 610 and PMS-8.
Climate-resilient seeds:

• Germinate well
• Are pest-resistant
• Reduce the need for pesticides.

Lam Pesara 610, for instance, is a popular mung bean variety that is resistant to mungbean yellow mosaic virus. Furthermore, these mung bean seeds are biofortified. Biofortification modifies crops to increase their nutritional value. This means Lam Pasara 610 contain approximately 23% more protein than regular seeds.

Higher protein content and resistance to pests lower fertiliser and pesticide use, eventually reducing soil contamination.

Adopt Organic Fertilisers

For sustainable farming, reducing the use of chemical fertilisers is crucial. Farmers can replace chemical fertilisers with compost, farmyard manure, or decomposed crop residues in mung bean fields to improve soil fertility.

Organic matter increases water retention and supports beneficial bacteria. In addition, organic fertilisers create better aeration, giving space to mung bean sprouts for better root penetration.

Farmers can use competitively priced tractors to distribute compost for soil enrichment and cut costs. Mahindra 575 DI XP Plus price, for instance, is Rs. 7.38-7.77 Lakh, and can be a good option to use with organic manure spreaders.

Drip or Furrow Irrigation

Mung beans are grown during the kharif season and are typically a rain-fed crop. It usually does not need much additional irrigation. However, irrigation is still required at key stages like flowering and pod filling.

Farmers can use drip or furrow irrigation, which saves water and prevents waterlogging. Irrigation is especially important in hot, dry regions where water is scarce. Smart irrigation also reduces disease risk from excess moisture.

Pest Management

Pesticides, like artificial fertilisers, contaminate soil and pollute the ecosystem. For sustainable farming, farmers should:
Rotate mung beans with crops like wheat, maize, or mustard to break the pest life cycle.

Use biopesticides such as neem sprays for early pest control.
Adopt the integrated pest management (IPM) method.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a method in which farmers control pest attacks by growing resistant plant varieties.

These cultural methods, such as IPM and the use of biopesticides, reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and prevent pesticide resistance in pests as well.

Use of Advanced Technology

Advanced technologies like precision farming and the Internet of Things (IoT) can make mung bean farming in India more sustainable. Precision farming uses data from soil sensors, weather forecasts, and satellite images to guide when and how much to plant, irrigate, and fertilise.

IoT devices can track soil moisture, crop health, and pest activity in real time. This means farmers can use only the water, fertiliser, and pesticides needed, reducing waste, saving money, and protecting the environment for future farming.

Store the Harvest Carefully

Harvest mung beans when approximately 80–84% of the pods have turned brown. Harvesting at the right time is important because any delay can lead to pod shattering and grain loss, leading to wasted resources. Farmers can sun-dry the grains or use a mechanical dryer to reduce the moisture content to 10–12%

Use natural pest deterrents, like dried neem leaves, ash, or red chillies, when storing them in airtight containers. Good storage prevents wastage, ensures better prices, and allows farmers to sell when the market rate is favourable.

Conclusion

Sustainable farming in mung bean cultivation will help farmers conserve natural resources and reduce their environmental impact. Farmers can adopt methods like limited soil tillage, drip irrigation, and integrated pest management (IPM). With rapid climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity, sustainable farming methods present ways for organic agriculture to enhance soil fertility, produce resilient crops, and ensure food security.