Indian chana, or chickpea, futures extended gains on Wednesday to hit their highest level in six weeks on concerns over production due to a sharp drop in the area under cultivation. As on February 6, farmers had cultivated chana on 8.53 million hectares, compared with 10 million hectares a year earlier.
The April contract on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) closed 1.1 percent higher at 3,645 rupees per 100 kg, after rising to 3,669 rupees earlier in the day, the highest level since December 31. Chana futures could ease on Thursday on profit-taking.