Impact of knowledge gap in enhancing yield among pulse growers of Cauvery delta region

Abstract

An ex-post facto research was undertaken to assess the knowledge gap hindering yield maximization among pulse growers of Cauvery delta region during 2020-2021 with 200 farmers. Farmers obtained yield increase of 8.74% in redgram, to 49.15% in blackgram and higher net returns upto Rs. 29657/ha through KVK interventions led to less knowledge gap index in YMV resistant varieties and other yield maximizing technologies. Mean knowledge gap scores obtained for blackgram, greengram, redgram and horsegram are 24.48, 23.6, 22.6 and 20.6 respectively with highest score for blackgram cultivated both as rice fallow and sole crop adopting yield maximizing technologies. Pulse growers belonged medium overall knowledge gap index (KGI) category. High KGI was observed for the pulse technologies amendments for soil surface crusting, soil application of TNAU mineral mixture, foliar spray of KCl and 1% urea, seed coating with bio fertilizers and micronutrients and pest and disease control by chemicals. Though farmers faced constraints (Garret ranking) hindering yield and income viz., pest and diseases, poor marketing guidance, lack of technical know-how) and low market price, area in pulses cultivation expanded by 276 ha. The study concluded that knowledge gap has direct influence on productivity per unit area in pulses.