Impacts of Cluster Frontline Demonstrations on Yield and Economics of Green Gram in Madhya Pradesh, India

Green gram or mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wildzek] is important pulse crop in India after chickpea and pigeonpea and it has been cultivated in India since ancient times. In India, green gram is one of the most widely cultivated pulse crops grown during kharif, spring and summer seasons. Cultivation of summer green gram is important to increase soil fertility in these areas where paddy wheat crop rotation is used.  It is believed that green gram is native to India and Central Asia and since prehistoric times green gram has been grown in these regions. It is widely cultivated through out many countries across Asia, Australia, Africa and the U.S.A recently (Anonymous, 2021). Pulses are the climate resilient crops as they promote sustainable agriculture, decrease greenhouse gases, fix atmospheric nitrogen, improve soil fertility and use less water compared to other crops (Meena and Biswas, 2013). Green gram has excellent source of high-quality protein and consumed as whole grains, sprouted form as well as dhal in a variety of ways in homes. It is particularly rich in leucine, phenylalanine, lysine, valine, isoleucine, etc. Green gram (Dal) source of nutrition such as Protein 24% Calcium 140 mg/100 g, Fat 1.3%, Phosphorus 280 mg/100 g, Iron 8.4 mg/100 g, Calorific value 334 Kcal/100 g and Carbohydrate 56% etc reported by Baldev et al., (1989).

India is the largest producer, consumer, importer and processor of green gram in the world. It is fast spreading to many other countries of the world. Green gram mainly grown in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Bihar which accounting nearly for 45, 19, 7, 6 and 4 per cent respectively. India has occupied an acreage of 5.15 million hectares with a production of 3.09 million tonnes in Green gram during 2020-21. The area increased from 3.38 million hectares during 2013-14 to 5.15 million hectares during 2020-21, while the production increased from 1.61 million tonnes to 3.09 million tonnes and yield levels increased from 475 kg/hectare to 599 kg/hectare during the same period thereby in parting an overall growth of 106% to this crop in last ten years (Anonymous, 2021).

In Madhya Pradesh, green gram is grown in an area of 0.544 million hectares with an average production of 0.641 million tons and productivity of 1179 kg/ha; whereas, Harda district of Madhya Pradesh covers total production of 1380 tons of green gram from an area of 1150 hectares with productivity of 1200 kg/ha (Anonymous, 2020-21). It clearly indicates that average productivity of green gram crop (1200 kg/ha) in Harda district is comparatively lower than the State average yield (1209 kg/ha) during 2021-22. However, still it is lower as compared to production potential of the demonstrated variety MH-421 “14.66 q/ha” (Anonymous, 2021a). Although, green gram crop productivity of Harda district has crossed the state productivity and also potential productivity of variety MH- 421 (16.00 q/ha) during 2022-23. The productivity of chickpea can be further enhanced by adopting improved high yielding varieties and scientific crop management practices (Kumar, 2014 and Meena et al., 2020).

Indian government imports large quantity of pulses to fulfill the domestic requirement of pulses. In this regard, to sustain this production and consumption system, Government of India has initiated cluster frontline demonstrations (CFLDs) under National Food Security Mission. Front line demonstration is the method of field demonstration evolved by the ICAR with the inception of Technology Mission on Oil seed Crops. The main aim of this programme is to demonstrate latest crop production, protection technologies and crop management practices at the farmers’ field under different agro-climatic zones and real farming situation under the supervision of Agricultural scientists.

Cluster frontline demonstrations of greengram were carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kolipura Tappar, Harda under the administrative control of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh during summer season from 2018-19 to 2022-23 (five consecutive years). The basic information collected while conducted FLDs (Table 1) shown covered 11 villages from 3 block Harda district viz., Variety, latitude and longitude and partner farmer contributed who belongs different categories as beneficiary. As per the Agro-climatic zones of Madhya Pradesh, Harda district falls under the upper plains are broad and fertile (Deep black (deep) areas, well suited for cultivation and mainly consists of black soils in the Central Narmada Valley Zone-IV.



A total 250 FLDs on green gram were carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kolipura Tappar, Harda to harness production potentialities of demonstrated green gram variety MH-421 along with full-fledged cultivation package of practices in 100 ha area and in farmer’s practices PDM-139, Hum-12 and un identified local varieties with traditional cultivation practices. The technologies to be demonstrated for green gram were identified based on participatory rural approach (PRA) technique. Under demonstration, 0.4 ha area is allotted for individual partner farmer and adjacent 0.4 ha was considered local check (farmers’ practice). Farmers were trained to follow the improved package and practices of green gram cultivation recommended for cultivation and mainly consists of black soils in the Central Narmada Valley Zone-IV. The required critical inputs like improved variety seed MH-421, seed treatment with FIR System and soil application of Trichoderma spp and bio-fertilizer like Rhizobium spp, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria and Pseudomonas spp culture were supplied to the farmers from the scheme budget. Farmers were advised to use seed at the rate 25 kg ha^-1 with recommended package of practices. The sowing method keeping 30x5-10 cm spacing was demonstrated on their fields. For fertilizer management, application of 20 Kg N+40 Kg P₂O₅+20 Kg K₂O₅ per ha in the form of Urea DAP and MOP as per demonstration were applied by the partner farmers. In addition to N,P and K, N:P:K (19:19:19) @ 2.5 kg/ha was supplied by KVK. The seed was treated before sowing with carboxin+thiram @3 g, Thiamethoxam 30FS @10 ml and Rhizobium @ 10 ml kg^-1 taken with FIR system. Liquid Trichoderma spp and biofertilizers such as Rhizobium and PSB culture @ 5 L/ha, weed management (manually) and spray of Emamectin benzoate 5% SG@ 180 g/ha and tebuconzazole + sulphur @ 500 g/hawere supplied to the farmers from the scheme budget also as per need for the management of gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) and Spotted pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius. Regular visits to the demonstration fields by KVK Scientists ensured proper guidance to the partner farmers. At flowering or maturity stage of crop, field days and group meetings were also organized to provide the opportunities for other farmers to witness the benefits of demonstrated technologies. Simultaneously, feedback from the farmers were also taken on the demonstrated technologies. In case of local check, traditional practices were followed by using existing varieties. Data were collected from both the demonstration as well as local check plot of partner farmers through personal contacts and finally extension gap, technology gap and technology index were worked out as suggested by Raj et al., (2013) as per formula given as follows:
 

 

       

Technology gap = Potential yield (Kg/ha) - Yield of demonstration (kg/ha)

 

Extension gap = Yield of demonstration (kg/ha) - Yield under farmer practice (kg/ha)

 

 

 
Where:
Pi = Potential yield of the variety.
Di = Demonstration yield of the variety.
 

Additional cost (Rs./ha.) = Cost of cultivation of demonstration (Rs./ha.) - Cost of cultivation of farmer practice (Rs./ha.)

 

Additional return (Rs./ha.) = Gross return of demonstration (Rs./ha.) - Gross return of farmer practice (Rs./ha.)

 

Effective gain (Rs./ha) = Additional return (Rs./ha) - Additional cost (Rs./ha.)

 

 
 

The data evident (Table 2) shown gap demonstrated between improved technology and farmer’s practice of green gram cultivation in Harda district of Madhya Pradesh. Among varying technological component, full gap was observed in the component viz., variety and soil application of biofertilizers and Trichoderma spp, while, partial gap noticed in seed treatment with fungicide, insecticide and rhizobium culture, seed rate, showing time, fertilizer management and plant protection measures. These gaps observed at the farmers’ field are ascribed to delay improved adopted; coupled with unreached extension system, poor accessibility of advanced or improved agro - technologies specially among small holder farmer’s (Shivran et al., 2020). Under farmer’s practice, seed of local/old variety with low yield potential was sown instead of newly recommended varieties for the zone with improper application of improved recommended package technologies. On the basis of observed gap under the demonstration were provided improved variety MH-421, fungicide, insecticide and bio-fertilizer (Rhizobium and PSB culture) to the partner farmers by KVK and other component viz., chemical fertilizers and all other crop management practices were timely performed by the partner farmer itself funder the supervision of KVK Scientist. Similar findings have also been observed by Meena et al., (2021), Saikia et al., (2018), Bhargav et al., (2017) and Meena and Singh (2017).


 
Green gram yield
 
Under National Food Security Mission (Pulses), total of 250 cluster frontline demonstrations of green gram (Pic 1) were demonstrated during 2018-19 to 2022-23 in Harda under Central Narmada Valley Zone. The findings obtained during last five years of demonstrations are presented in (Table 3) which revealed that average yield of green gram through improved technology ranged from 12.12 to 16.38 q/ha as compared to 9.39 to 12.65 under farmer’s practice. Average yield of total 250 demonstrations was 14.95 q/ha from improved technology whereas, the average yield from farmer’s practices was 12.01 q/ha. During the investigation, demonstrated improved technology variety MH-421 harvested average within 63.8 days in summer season under Harda district climate, where, as compare to farmer’s practices other local varieties average harvested in 67.4 days. Under improved technology, it recorded 19.18 to 29.48 per cent increased in yield over the local check. Thus, there was on an average 23.39 per cent increase in demonstration yield over local check. Demonstrated greengram variety MH-421 gave the highest yield (16.38 q/ha) during the year 2020-21. The results also revealed that yield under improved technology as well as under farmer’s practices were higher than the district and State average yield during all the years of demonstrations. The higher yield greengram could be attributed due to adoption of improved variety with improved production practices of green gram. These results validate the findings of Reager et al., (2020) and Meena et al. (2020) and Meena and Singh (2017) in green gram, Wadkar et al., (2018) in chickpea. However, on an average, 7.31 q/ha higher yield of greengram was recorded under improved technology over district average. Similarly, 4.72 q/ha and 9.36 q/ha higher yield of green gram was recorded under improved technology over State and the country average, respectively. It was due to use of high yielding improved variety, improved agronomic practices and adoption of improved management practices. Meena et al., (2021) and Shivran et al., (2020) also reported the higher grain yield of chickpea and Indian mustard respectively, under front line demonstrations over district and state average.




 
Extension gap
 
Extension gap is considered as a parameter to know the yield difference between the demonstrated improved technology and farmer’s practices. Results of the demonstrations (Table 3) stated that the extension gap ranging between 2.36-3.73 q/ha was found between demonstrated technology and farmer’s practices. On an average extension gap during period of study was 293.20 kg/ha. So as to enhance the farmers income, there is need to reduce the wider extension gap, therefore, it is necessity to educate the farmers through various means for more adoption of recommended improved high yielding varieties and implementation of latest agro-technique (Reager et al., 2020, Meena et al., 2020 and Meena and Singh (2017) in green gram and Meena et al., (2021) in chickpea.
 
Technology gap
 
The data of Table 3 reflected that technology gap was not recorded in demonstration yield against potential yield which ranged from 0.12 to 4.38q/ha more harvested than potential yield harvested during consecutive five years of demonstrations on green gram crop variety MH-421 cultivation in Harda district. This also reflects the excellent extension activities, which resulted in maximum adoption of package of practice by farmer. Hence, extension activities and a location specific technological recommendation appear to be necessary to decline the technology gap. These results corroborate the findings of Meena et al., (2021) and Jat et al., (2013).
 
Technology index
 
The technology index is a parameter to show the feasibility of the improved technology at the farmer’s fields. Data on technology index presented in Table 2 shows that technology index assessed more yield harvested than potential yield 1200 Kg/ha that varied from 1 to 36.50 per cent more recorded. During study period of frontline demonstrations, highest technology index 36.5 per cent and lowest 1 per cent was recorded during year of 2018-19 and 2022-23, respectively. Further, on an average technology index 24.58 per cent more than potential yield was observed during four experimental years of green gram, which shows the efficacy of good performance of technical interventions. This will accelerate the adoption of demonstrated technological intervention to increase the yield performance of green gram at farmer’s field. Similar findings were recorded by Meena et al., (2021); Reager et al., (2020); Wadkar et al., (2018); Bhargav et al., (2017) and Jat et al., (2013).
 
Economics of green gram under CFLD
 
Cluster frontline demonstration economics of improved technology was assessed (Table 4) on the basis of prevailing market rates (Minimum Support Price) which recorded higher gross monetary return (Rs. 129131/ha), additional returns (Rs.36583/ha.) with improved technology demonstration compare to farmer’s practice in the year 2020-21 in case of green gram variety MH-421. The higher net returns (Rs. 105661/ha), effective gain (Rs. 36063/ha) and B: C ratio (5.50) with improved technology demonstration compare to farmer’s practice in the year 2020-2021 in case of green gram variety MH-421. Seed yield, cost of variable inputs, labour charge and sale price of produce determine the economic return and these vary from year to year. The present investigation showed improved technology fetched higher net return to the tune of Rs. 62483/ha to Rs. 105661/ha with the average of five years (Rs. 87737/ha) and average per cent increase in net return (34.98%) in addition to farmer’s practices. However, under farmer’s practice, the net return ranged from Rs. 46231/ha to Rs. 78279/ha over the years and its average value fetched to Rs. 65061.60/ha. Although, cost of cultivation average mean with the five years (Rs. 23124.20/ha) in improved technology demonstration compare to farmer’s practice (Rs. 22526.40/ha) with average additional cost (Rs. 992.80/ha) was recorded similarly by Meena et al., (2022). 



Further, on the average, of all five years of study revealed that improved technology demonstration gave higher mean gross return (Rs. 110861.20/ha), mean net return (Rs. 87737/ha), mean additional returns (Rs. 23169.20/ha), mean effective gain (Rs. 22571.4/ha) and mean B:C ratio (4.78) compare to farmer’s practice. Similar economic benefits owing to adoption of improved technology interventions were also reported by Meena et al., (2021); Reager et al., (2020); Meena et al., (2020) and Jat et al., (2013).

The Cluster frontline demonstrations conducted on green gram at the farmer’s field revealed that the adoption of improved technologies significantly increased the yield as well as net returns to the farmers. So, there is a need to disseminate the improved technologies among the farmers with effective extension activities like trainings, group meetings, demonstrations and field days. The farmers should be couraged to adopt the recommended package of practices realizing for higher returns. The beneficiary farmers of demonstrations also play an important role as source of information and quality seed for wider dissemination of the high yielding variety of green gram for other nearby farmers.

The authors are deeply grateful to the Director Extension Services, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur and the Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone-IX, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh for giving excellent technical, administrative and financial assistance. Apart from this, Authors, also thankful to farmers cooperation who involved to execute Front Line Demonstrations on his farm.

I ensure that our research was conducted ethically, with relevant guidelines and regulations. I have obtained information consent from research participants, maintain confidentiality, and avoid any form of coercion or deception. We have no conflict of interest on behalf of co-authors of this research article to any includes obtaining ethical approval for the study and disclosing any financial or personal relationships that may have influenced the research.