Originating from India and Central Asia, this small herbaceous annual plant belongs to the Leguminosae family. It is an excellent source of high-quality protein (25%), and sprouted seeds contain higher amounts of vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine, and other nutrients, as sprouting improves their quality. The plant grows to a height of 30-100 cm, with an erect central stem and semi-erect side branches. It is a fully self-pollinated crop, producing pods that are 6 to 10 cm long, with 10 to 20 green seeds per pod. Additionally, it serves as an excellent fodder and green manure crop. Green gram is grown as a pure crop in rice fallows after the harvest of the first or second crop of paddy. It can also be grown as a mixed crop with tapioca, colocasia, yam and banana or as an intercrop in coconut gardens.