Impact of Technological Interventions on Pigeon Pea for Enhancing Income through Cluster Front Line Demonstrations

Aims: The area and production of pigeon pea in Bhadohi are still significantly lower than in other districts of other states. There is a significant yield gap between the potential output and the yield under current farming conditions. To study the impact of technological interventions on the pigeon pea crop for increasing income through Cluster Front Line Demonstrations was the goal of the current study.

Place and Duration of Study: Cluster front line demonstrations on improved pigeon pea technologies were carried out by ICAR-IIVR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bhadohi, at farmers' fields from 2015–16 to 2019–20.

Methodology: A total of 155 pigeon pea cluster front line demonstrations on improved pigeon pea technologies covering a 45.70 hectare area were held in one hundred eighteen localities. Field days, training and group meetings were also organized to provide opportunities for other farmers to witness the benefits of demonstrated technologies. The output data were collected from CFLD plots as well as control plots (farmers practice) by random crop cutting method and analyzed using simple statistical tools such as per cent change in yield, cost of cultivation, net income, and benefit cost ratio etc.

Results: In the experimental plots, the mean yield over five years was 15.44 q/ha, while it was only 11.21 q/ha in the control plots. Over the course of the five years of the study, the yield development varied, though on average, it was measured at 42.49 percent. When compared to the farmer's practice (28,463/ha), the average net return for the demonstration plots at the farmer's field over the investigation period was greater at 56,611/ha. Additionally, the demonstration plots' benefit-cost ratio was larger (2.32) than the farmer's practice's (1.69).

Conclusion: From the aforementioned findings, it can be concluded that using modern technologies for pigeon pea cultivation may significantly close the extension and technology gap, increasing pigeon pea yield in the area. It requires collaborative extension efforts to enhance the adoption of location and crop specific technologies among the farmers to bridge these gaps.