Peas commonly known as “matar” in India, are one of the most important and widely cultivated vegetable crops. Peas are grown for their fresh green pods, dry seeds, and tender shoots. Rich in protein, vitamins (A, C, and K), dietary fiber, and minerals like iron and potassium, peas are a nutritious addition to the Indian diet.
India primarily cultivates two types of peas: garden peas (green peas) and field peas (dry peas). Peas thrive in cool weather conditions and are mainly grown during the Rabi season in northern India, while parts of the southern and eastern regions grow them during cooler months. States like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh are key pea-producing regions.
This article highlights more than 10 top pea varieties in India, their features, regions of cultivation, and uses to help farmers make the right choice for better productivity and profitability.
1. Arkel
Arkel is a widely grown early-maturing garden pea variety, popular for its tender pods and high yield.
- Type: Garden pea (green pea)
- Maturity: 55–60 days
- Pod Size: Medium (8–10 cm)
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar
- Characteristics:
- Early-maturing and high-yielding variety
- Pods are tender, green, and sweet-flavored
- Suitable for both fresh and frozen markets
- Uses: Fresh consumption, frozen peas, and processing
2. Pusa Pragati
Pusa Pragati is an early-maturing variety developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) for high productivity.
- Type: Garden pea
- Maturity: 50–55 days
- Pod Size: Medium, light green
- Regions: Northern states (Punjab, Haryana, UP)
- Characteristics:
- High-yielding variety with uniform pods
- Tolerant to powdery mildew and pea rust
- Uses: Fresh markets, quick processing
3. Azad Pea-1
Azad Pea-1 is a high-yielding and disease-resistant variety suitable for cooler regions.
- Type: Garden pea
- Maturity: 60–65 days
- Pod Size: Medium to large
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar
- Characteristics:
- Sweet, tender green peas ideal for fresh consumption
- Resistant to powdery mildew and fusarium wilt
- Uses: Fresh markets, household consumption
4. Kashi Uday
Kashi Uday is an improved variety of green peas developed for high yield and quality pods.
- Type: Garden pea
- Maturity: 55–60 days
- Pod Size: Large, bright green
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- High-yielding with uniform pod development
- Good tolerance to diseases and pests
- Uses: Fresh consumption, vegetable markets
5. Pant Sabji Matar-3
Pant Sabji Matar-3 is a medium-duration pea variety that performs well under northern Indian conditions.
- Type: Garden pea
- Maturity: 65–70 days
- Pod Size: Medium, smooth-textured pods
- Regions: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- Uniform pods with sweet flavor
- Suitable for rainfed and irrigated conditions
- Uses: Fresh peas, small-scale processing
6. Rachna (Field Pea)
Rachna is a popular field pea variety grown for dry seeds and green pods.
- Type: Field pea
- Maturity: 100–110 days
- Pod Size: Medium
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar
- Characteristics:
- Resistant to rust and powdery mildew
- Produces high-quality dry peas with good protein content
- Uses: Dry seeds, dal production
7. IPFD 10-12 (Field Pea)
IPFD 10-12 is an improved high-yielding field pea variety known for its resistance to diseases.
- Type: Field pea
- Maturity: 110–115 days
- Pod Size: Medium
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan
- Characteristics:
- High-yield potential and disease resistance
- Ideal for seed production and storage
- Uses: Dry peas, pulses, processed food
8. Vivek Matar-10
Vivek Matar-10 is a cold-tolerant pea variety suitable for hill regions.
- Type: Garden pea
- Maturity: 60–65 days
- Pod Size: Medium, green
- Regions: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, northeastern states
- Characteristics:
- Tolerates frost and cold weather
- Sweet, tender peas ideal for hill agriculture
- Uses: Fresh peas, home gardens
9. Early December
Early December is a highly productive early-maturing variety for winter cultivation.
- Type: Garden pea
- Maturity: 50–55 days
- Pod Size: Medium, uniform pods
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab
- Characteristics:
- Early-maturing with high-quality green pods
- Suitable for winter sowing
- Uses: Fresh markets, early harvest
10. HUDP-15
HUDP-15 is a dual-purpose pea variety grown for green pods and dry seeds.
- Type: Field pea
- Maturity: 100–110 days
- Pod Size: Medium
- Regions: Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- High yield of green pods and dry seeds
- Resistant to diseases like rust and powdery mildew
- Uses: Dry peas, fresh green pods
Conclusion
India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions allow farmers to grow a wide range of high-yielding, early-maturing, and disease-resistant pea varieties. From tender green peas like Arkel and Pusa Pragati to dual-purpose field peas like Rachna and HUDP-15, there are numerous options to meet market demands. By adopting improved varieties and modern cultivation practices, farmers can achieve higher yields, increase profits, and contribute to food security.
FAQs
Q1: Which pea variety is best for fresh consumption?
A: Arkel, Pusa Pragati, and Azad Pea-1 are excellent for fresh consumption due to their tender, sweet pods.
Q2: Which pea variety is suitable for dry seeds or pulses?
A: Rachna, IPFD 10-12, and HUDP-15 are ideal for dry peas and pulse production.
Q3: What is the best pea variety for early harvest?
A: Early December, Pusa Pragati, and Arkel are early-maturing varieties suitable for quick harvest.
Q4: Which pea variety is tolerant to cold weather?
A: Vivek Matar-10 performs well under cold and frost conditions, especially in hill regions.
Q5: Which states are major producers of peas in India?
A: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh are major pea-producing states in India.
