Vol. 12, Special Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Gayathri Subbiah

Abstract:
An investigation studies in Black gram cultivation was carried out during 2020-21 and 2021-22 the Rabi seasons in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. In an area of 60 ha, 150 farmers were identified for implementing 150 demos in 0.4 ha area to demonstrate the improved technologies for Blackgram production and its attributes on yield and economics of cultivation. The technologies recommended for adoption included resistant varieties, Bio agent applications, Soil test based fertilizer usage, and Integrated Pest management practices. Critical inputs like seeds, bioagents, Pulse wonder and with traps were distributed to the farmers. Training on Integrated Crop Management practices was conducted for improving the adoption level for effective implementations. In the study period of two years, demonstrated areas recorded yield increase compared to farmer's fields. The yield obtained in the demonstrated field was 10.17 q/ ha (VBN 6), 10.48 q/ kg in VBN 8 compared to farmer's field 9.5 q/ha during 2020-21 and 7.75 q/ha (VBN 8) and 6.13 q/ha in demonstrated and farmers’ fields during 2021-22 respectively. The percent yield increase observed was 7.05 for VBN 6, 10.42, and 18.76 for VBN 8 during demonstrations. The demonstrated plots showed high net returns and benefit cost ratio (1.75 in 2020-21 and 1.68 in 2021-22)) when compared to farmer's practices 1.43 (2020-21) and 1.31 (2021-22) respectively. The benefitted farmers were encouraged to seed farm registration which in turn increased their income.