A Study of Various Constraints in Lentil Production and Marketing in District Lakhimpur (Kheri) of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Lentil pulse crop on account of their vital role in nutritional security and soil ameliorative properties have been an integral part of sustainable agriculture since ages. The decrease in production and shrinkage in the area of pulse crops in Lakhimpur (Kheri), Uttar Pradesh is a cause of great concern. Keeping in view the importance of lentils, the study was carried out to examine the various constraints faced by the different groups of farmers. Aims: To study the various Constraints in lentil production and marketing. Place and Duration of Study: Lakhimpur (kheri) district of Uttar Pradesh, between year 2020 and 2021. Methodology: A total of 100 respondents were selected randomly from the Mitauli block of Lakhimpur (kheri) district, Uttar Pradesh and a pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from the farmers. Respondents were classified into three ccategories based on their size of land holdings. Results: It is revealed by the Garrett scores that the major production constraint faced by most of the farmers was unfavorable weather condition (score of 66.39) and major marketing constraint faced was small quantity of marketable surplus (score of 61.98). Conclusion: From the findings of the study, it has been stated that there was a high level of constraints associated with production and marketing of lentils. Highly responded constraints for production were unfavorable weather condition(rank I), non-availability of quality water for irrigation(rank II),inadequate knowledge of recommended packages and practices (rank III).Similarly small quantity of marketable surplus(rank I),availability of reliable market information system (rank II) and price fluctuation(rank III)were the major constraints in case of marketing of lentils. Due to having these constraints, farmers faced a lot of troubles which hampered agricultural activities, increased quantum of credit assistance and led to selling of agricultural crops at low prices.