Productivity Enhancement and Gap Analysis of Moth Bean (Vigna acontifolia (Jacq.)) through Improved Production Technologies on Farmers’ Participatory Mode

A total 81 of frontline demonstrations were conducted on farmers’ fields in villages viz., Kalali, Rampura, Jhitra, Dalpatgarh and Mukanpura of Pali district in Rajasthan state during 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 to demonstrate production potential and economic benefit of improved technologies comprising sowing method, nutrient management and chemical weed control and adoption of whole package of practices for the crop. Pre-emergence application of herbicide Pendimethalin at 1.0 kg a.i/ha in 550 liters of water used for effective control of the weeds during kharif season in rainfed condition. The findings of the study revealed that improved technology recorded a mean yield of 629 kg/ha which was 53.5% higher than obtained by farmers’ practice (414 kg/ha). The higher mean net income of 24730/-ha with a Benefit: Cost ratio of 3.6 was obtained with improved technologies in comparison to farmers’ practices (12950/ha). Yield gap analysis revealed that though there was mean additional return of 11780/ha with a mean additional gain of 7820/ha, still there was an extension gap of 215 kg/ha seed yield, indicating that along with many move front line demonstrations there is a need to disseminate the improved technologies among the farmers with effective extension methods like training and demonstrations. However, the mean technology gap of 639 kg/ha seed yield clearly indicates that research efforts are needed in realizing the potentiality of the moth bean crop in Rajasthan state.