Performance evaluation of improved cowpea variety ‘KashiKanchan’ under frontline demonstrations in Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh

Abstract

A frontline demonstration was conducted to evaluate the performance of improved vegetable cowpea variety KashiKanchan for suitability in the Chhattisgarh plain agro climatic zone region. It was conducted in five farmers’ fieldsin Bawankera village of Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh, India for four years during 2021 - 2024. Results indicated that RP significantly enhanced yield, gross return, net return and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) compared to FP. Yield improvement ranged from 20.7% to 38.0%, with maximum increase in 2024. Net returns under RP were substantially higher in all years, with the highest in 2024 (Rs. 146,500/ha). The BCR under RP was consistently superior (2.15-3.07) compared to FP (1.80-2.82). The findings confirm that adoption of improved variety KashiKanchan with recommended agronomic practices can bridge the yield gap and significantly increase farmers’ income in the cowpea-growing regions of Chhattisgarh.