Performance of Lentil (var. IPL 316) Production Technologies in Lalitpur District of Bundelkhand Region, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The district of Lalitpur is located in the Jhansi Division of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. There are 5,039 km2 in the district. The district lies between 78o 10' and 79o 0' (East) and 24o 11' and 25o 14' (North). The district experiences frigid winters and extremely hot, dry summers due to its sub-tropical climate. The dried, edible seeds of certain plants in the Fabaceae family are called pulses. Pulses have a low fat level and a high protein and fiber content. Pulses are another type of nitrogen-fixing crop that improves the environmental sustainability of the annual cropping system. In 2023-24, Lentil was cultivated in the district on the area of 23,875 ha, and the production amounted to 22,896 Metric ton with the productivity of 959 kg/ha. Cluster Front Line Demonstrations (CFLDs) were conducted in the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lalitpur, in the district to promote improved lentil (var. IPL 316) technologies in 14 villages across four blocks. The purpose of the CFLDs was to increase productivity and assess the technological and economic feasibility of the new lentil production technologies in comparison to the current ones. In 2023–2024, the mean maximum seed production (1670 kg/ha) was recorded when CFLDs were used, as opposed to 1280 kg/ha when farmers adopted their techniques. Under CFLDs, increases in the yield were realized by 31 per cent compared to the practice of farmers. The profitability and economic viability demonstrated that the ratio of benefit cost (B:C) was greater in case of better agro-technologies (CFLDs) of 4.2 compared to 3.4 in the practice of farmers (FP). The net rate of agro-technologies (CFLDs) was 79926 ha and this is much greater than the practice of farmers (Rs. 56924 ha). These changes in agroclimatic parameters and the CFLDs program's location were successful in changing farmers' attitudes, abilities, and knowledge to embrace enhanced technology and HYV of lentils, which were then widely disseminated to other farmers. Additionally, it improved communication between farmers and scientists and boosted their self-esteem.