Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) funded Farmer FIRST Programme, large-scale farmer participatory field demonstrations on green gram variety (MH 421) were organized at three adopted villages i.e., Gurana, Bure and Dubetta in Hisar district, situated in semi-arid region of Western Haryana during three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate the economic feasibility of technology transfer and adoption in green gram. The results of the study revealed a notable enhancement in the average yield of the demonstrated plot with an increase of 16.33 per cent compared to that of the farmers’ plots for green gram crops. The average yield of demonstration plots showed significant increases of 16.91 per cent, 12.10 per cent, and 20.33 per cent in the years 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. The extension gap measured 1.37 q/ha, 1.08 q/ha, and 1.50 q/ha while the technology gap amounted to 2.53 q/ha, 2.00 q/ha, and 3.00 q/ha during consecutive years, respectively. Over the span of these three years, the yield increment observed in demonstration plots translating to additional income compared to check plots totaled ₹5105/ha, ₹ 4184/ha, and ₹ 6479/ha, respectively with corresponding B:C ratios of 2.51, 2.69 and 2.27. The high cost of inputs, lack of government support and non-availability of credit in time were the primary constraints faced by green gram growers in adopting recommended production technologies. Hence, the study recommends that a multi-pronged strategy be implemented which includes enhancing green gram production through horizontal and vertical expansion and productivity improvements through better adoption of improved technology.