Enhancement of Green Gram Productivity through Cluster Front Line Demonstrations in Northern Agroclimatic Zone of Telangana, India

Abstract

India is the world's biggest producer, importer, and consumer of pulses. About 7% to 10% of the nation's overall food grain production comes from pulses, which make up roughly 5% of the area used for pulses production. The production of green grams accounts for around 8–10% of all pulses. The productivity of pulses is currently 892 kg/ha, which requires further improvement. In Telangana due to increase in the irrigation facility most of the farmers are growing crops like paddy, maize and the pulses cultivation is drastically decreasing. To bring awareness and to improve the pulses cultivation the present study was carried out by KVK, Ramagirikhilla, Kharimnagar-II, ICAR-ATARI, Zone-X in rabi season for five successive years from 2018 to 2022. A total of two hundred and twelve cluster frontline demonstrations were conducted in the farmers’ field of Peddapalli district of Telangana. Improved varieties MGG-295 and WGG-42 were demonstrated with integrated crop management practices viz., seed treatment with rhizobium, chemical weed control, timely management of pest and diseases management. The outcomes of the experiments shown the improved green gram varieties MGG-295 and WGG-42 produced a greater yield (11.77 q/ha) than the farmers' practices (8.46 q/ha) that is revealed an extension gap of 3.70 q/ha, technology gap 1.43 q/ha and 10.88% Technological Index. Cumulative results over five years when compared to farmers’ practices, the demonstration yield was increased by 40.62%. The benefit cost ratio was recorded 3.06 with an increased net return of Rs. 14,640.11 and 51.11% higher net returns than farmers’ practices (2.46). The propagation of improved practices was the reason for the increase in green gram crop productivity under the demonstration plot. This could be replicated in northern agroclimatic zones of Telangana as well as the other parts of state which are having the similar climatic conditions.