Vol. 18 No. 2
Enhancing profitability and sustainability through increased pulses production in Assam
Author(s): B. GOGOI, S. DAS, S. BHAGOWATI, D. C. NATH, N. J. BORDOLOI and N. DEKA
Abstract:
Improved pulse production is a way to increase the farm income and profitability of farmers along with sustaining soil health for enhancing the productivity in long run. The study was taken up in Nagaon district which falls under Central Brahmaputra valley zone of Assam. A total of 21 villages were covered under cluster frontline demonstration on pulses with 60 ha on Lentil, 70 ha under Lathyrus, 100 ha under Field pea, and 80 ha under Greengram during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. The demonstrations were conducted as per recommendation in package along with full farmers’ participation. The results of the demonstration conducted for Lentil, Lathyrus, Field pea and Greengram showed average yield range of 7.80, 7.71, 9.00 and 8.79 q ha -1 and average yield increase of 28.22, 13.71, 36.94 and 23.95 per cent in Lentil, Lathyrus, Field pea and Greengram, respectively over the farmers practice followed. The variation seen in demonstartion plots and farmers plot could be considered as a gap between adoptions of recommended package of practices. The average extension gap, technology gap and technology index of Lentil (1.71 q ha-1, 2.21 q ha-1 and 22.05%), Lathyrus (0.93 q ha-1, 2.29 q ha-1, 22.93%), Field pea (2.41 q ha-1, 1.00 q ha-1 and 10%) and Greengram (1.58 q ha-1, 1.21 q ha-1 and 12.08%) were found during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. The economic returns and benefit cost ratio of demonstration plot of Lentil, Field pea, Lathyrus and Greengram were Rs. 46,785 ha-1, 4.00:1, Rs. 24,188 ha-1, 2.69:1, Rs. 30,365 ha-1, 3.07:1, Rs. 38,130 ha-1, 3.61:1 as compared to farmers’ practice of Rs. 36,243 ha-1, 3.91:1, Rs. 20,875 ha-1, 2.60:1, Rs. 22,580 ha-1, 2.70:1 and Rs. 33,350 ha-1, 3.65:1, respectively. The above results confirm that the adoption of scientifically improved technologies over farmers practice will improve the productivity of pulses in the state as well as in country which can help in minimize the pulse production and consumption gaps.
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