Mung Bean Farming Profit Per Acre

Mung Bean Farming

The profit analysis for mungbean farming highlights its strong economic viability, with a total income of NRs. 120,000 per acre against the total cost of NRs. 35,000, resulting in a net profit of NRs. 85,000. This impressive profit margin of 70.83% underscores the significant potential of mung bean farming profit per acre, making it a lucrative option for farmers. The analysis showcases how efficient input management and favorable market prices can maximize returns, further encouraging the adoption of mung bean cultivation in suitable agro-climatic regions.

Land Preparation

The process of seedbed preparation begins with deep plowing (20–25 cm) using a moldboard plow or disc harrow after harvesting the previous crop to bury weeds and stubble. This is followed by 2–3 cross harrowings with a disc harrow or cultivator to break clods and level the field, creating a fine tilth. The remaining clods are then crushed using a plank or roller to achieve a smooth surface. In rainfed areas, land preparation should align with the onset of monsoon to conserve soil moisture, while irrigated areas may require pre-sowing irrigation (palewa/rauni). Minimal tillage methods, including reduced or zero-tillage with specialized seed drills, are increasingly preferred to conserve moisture and reduce costs.

Soil Type

While adaptable to various soils like sandy and clay loams, mung beans achieve optimal growth in well-drained, organic-rich sandy loam or loam. They possess moderate salinity tolerance and can handle slightly alkaline conditions (pH ≤ 8.0). However, waterlogging must be strictly avoided, as must heavy clay soils, which impede root growth and increase disease risk. Similarly, highly acidic soils (pH < 5.5) are unsuitable unless treated with lime.

Climatic Requirements

Major Cultivars

Always use certified seeds of recommended varieties for your region.

Seed Rate

Moong bean requires a seed rate of 8–9 kg/acre in Kharif and 12–15 kg/acre in summer due to lower germination and higher plant density needs. Treat seeds with Captan or Thiram (3 g/kg) before sowing to protect against soil-borne fungi and ensure healthy emergence.

Planting

a) Planting Season

b) Spacing

The recommended spacing for planting is 30 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants within each row.

c) Planting Method

The recommended planting method is line sowing (drilling), which involves using seed drills or a pora behind a desi plow to ensure uniform depth, spacing, and seed rate while facilitating intercultural operations. Broadcasting, where seeds are scattered and covered by planking or light harrowing, requires a higher seed rate, results in uneven depth, and complicates weeding, making it less ideal. Seeds should be planted at a depth of 3–5 cm in moist soil, with shallower planting in heavy soils and deeper in light soils.

d) Number of Plants per Acre

With the recommended spacing, an acre can accommodate approximately 134,900 plants.

Intercropping

Intercropping with moong is a common practice due to its short duration and nitrogen-fixing ability. Popular systems include maize + moong and pearl millet (bajra) + moong in 2:1 or 2:2 row ratios, cotton + moong with moong planted between paired cotton rows, and sugarcane + moong, where moong is sown between cane rows during planting. This practice improves land, water, and light utilization, reduces risks, provides additional income, enriches soil nitrogen, and helps suppress weeds.

Irrigation

Fertilizer and Manure

The given doses are for one acre.

Weed Control

Pest and Disease Management

Common Pests

a). Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata)

The pod borer is a serious pest capable of causing substantial yield losses in moong bean crops; upon detection of infestation, immediate control measures should be implemented through spraying either Indoxacarb 14.5SC at 200 ml per acre, Acephate 75SP at 800 grams per acre, or Spinosad 45SC at 60 ml per acre, followed by a repeat application after a two-week interval to ensure effective management.

b). Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), a notorious pest, acts as a vector for Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV), causing significant crop damage. Effective control measures include spraying Thiamethoxam at 40 g per acre and Triazophos at 600 ml per acre. These sprays should be applied in the early morning, focusing on the undersides of the leaves where whiteflies tend to congregate. If the infestation persists, a second spray can be conducted 10 days after the first application to ensure better pest management and minimize the risk of disease transmission.

c). Aphids

Aphids suck plant sap and act as vectors for various viruses, causing significant crop damage. To control them, spray Imidacloprid or Acetamiprid at 1ml / liter of water.

d). Jassids/Leafhoppers

Jassids and leafhoppers are sap-sucking insect pests that damage moong bean plants by extracting nutrients from the leaves, leading to a characteristic symptom known as “hopper burn” – where leaf margins turn yellow or brown, curl upwards, and become brittle, severely reducing photosynthesis and plant vigor; to control infestations, apply targeted insecticide sprays such as Thiamethoxam 25WG @ 80-100 gm/acre or Fipronil 5% SC @ 600-800 ml/acre, preferably during early morning or late evening to maximize contact efficacy and minimize impacts on beneficial insects, with repeat applications as needed based on pest monitoring.

e). Tobacco Caterpillar

Upon observation of pest infestation, apply Acephate 57SP at a rate of 800 grams per acre; if required, a second spray should follow 10 days after the initial application.

f). Hairy Caterpillar

Hairy caterpillars can cause severe damage to crops, and their control depends on the level of infestation. During low infestation, caterpillars can be manually picked from plants and destroyed by crushing or immersing them in kerosene water to prevent their spread. However, in cases of high infestation, chemical control measures are necessary. Spraying Quinalphos at 500 ml per acre or Dichlorvos at 200 ml per acre effectively manages the caterpillar population, helping to protect the crop from further damage.

Common Diseases

a). Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV)

Yellow mosaic virus, transmitted by whiteflies, causes irregular yellow and green patches on leaves and prevents pod development in infected moong bean plants; to manage this disease, cultivate resistant varieties and control the whitefly vector by spraying Thiamethoxam (40 gm/acre) or Triazophos (600 ml/acre), repeating the application after 10 days if necessary.

b) Cercospora Leaf Spot

To prevent Cercospora leaf spot, treat seeds with Captan and Thiram before sowing and choose resistant varieties. If infestation occurs, spray Zineb 75WP at 400 g per acre, applying 2–3 sprays at 10-day intervals to effectively manage the disease.

c) Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew, a fungal disease identifiable by conspicuous white powdery growth on leaves and stems, impairs photosynthesis and weakens moong bean plants; for effective control, apply a thorough foliar spray of Wettable Sulphur (0.2% solution) or Dinocap (0.1% emulsion), ensuring complete coverage of affected plant surfaces, with repeat applications at 10–14-day intervals if infections persist, particularly under humid conditions.

Harvesting

The optimal window for harvesting moong beans occurs when approximately 85% of pods reach full maturity, characterized by their dry, hardened texture and dark coloration. Timeliness is critical at this stage, as delaying harvest risks over-ripening, which triggers pod shattering and irreversible seed loss. Harvesting should be performed manually using sickles to carefully cut or uproot plants, minimizing physical damage to pods.

Immediately following harvest, threshing must be conducted to separate the dried seeds from the pods and plant debris, typically achieved through mechanical beating or trampling. Subsequently, the seeds undergo cleaning to remove residual chaff, dust, and immature grains, often via winnowing. Finally, the cleaned seeds require sun-drying on clean surfaces until they achieve optimal storage moisture (typically 10–12%), ensuring longevity and preventing fungal or pest infestation during storage.

Cost of Investment per Acre for Mung bean farming

Income from Mungbean Farming Per Acre

Analysis of Mung bean Farming Profit Per Acre

The profit analysis for mungbean farming reveals a total income of NRs. 120,000 against the total cost of NRs. 35,000, resulting in a net profit of NRs. 85,000. This equates to a profit margin of 70.83%, highlighting the high economic viability of mungbean cultivation.