Vol. 11, Special Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Praveen N, Sudharani JS, Yamuna C, Maheshwaramma S, Sandeep S, Manikya Minnie C, Sudhakar C, Sujatha K, Shekar K, Rajeshwar Reddy T and Sudha Rani C

Abstract:
The present investigation was carried out in DAATTC Rangareddy district to study the impact of FLDs conducted during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 in Millets + Redgram intercropping under rain-fed situation in Rangareddy district under low rainfall situation. DAATTC Scientists promoted this technology in different villages through On-farm trials, Frontline demonstrations, Training programmes, Field days and Exposure visits since its introduction in 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. The farmers of Yacharam mandal of Ranga Reddy district has obtained low yield rates in Cotton, Maize, Paddy and other vegetable crops due to low rainfall for the past few years, but the farmers who cultivated high yielding varieties of sorghum and pearl millets as intercrops with redgram harnessed good yields even under severe drought conditions. This opened the eyes of other farmers that minor millets can be grown under less rainfall conditions. To minimize the risk and to bring stability, intercropping systems were demonstrated, in Gaddamallaihguda, Rangarpur and Gungal villages, Yacharam mandal under Ibrahimpatnam Division of Ranga Reddy district. An area of 28 and 18 ha of land was cultivated with Sorghum + Red gram and Bajra+ redgram at 4:1 ratio in 60 farmers’ fields respectively, during kharif 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. The high yielding varieties of sorghum (PYPS-2) and bajra hybrid (PHB-3) recorded a grain yield of 1640 kg/ha and 1210kg/ha respectively, which were 16.5% and 15.2% higher over local varieties of sorghum (1409 kg/ha) and bajra (1050 kg/ha). The demonstrated plots gave higher gross returns with higher benefit cost ratio compared to farmer’s practice. The horizontal spread has increased by 99%. In this study, the works carried out by DAATTC, Scientists on millet and pulse-based intercropping are discussed. This review would be useful to the researchers who are involved in this field.