Performance Evaluation of Vegetable Cow Pea Variety Arka Garima for Enhancing Productivity in Northern Telangana Zone, India

Abstract

In Northern Telangana, vegetable cowpea is a favored crop due to its nutritional value and culinary uses, but growers face challenges with varieties and yields and a lack of seed availability. To address these issues, our KVK trails promoting the high-yielding Arka Garima variety trail were conducted by KVK, Jammikunta in consecutive years of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The study aimed to bridge technology gaps and enhance yields to improve farmer’s income. Data were collected from farmer cum members of FPOs and individual farmer’s studies. The trails were incorporated with drip irrigation and without drip irrigation in some farmer’s fields. The results indicated significant improvements in agricultural productivity and economic returns for the demonstration plots compared to traditional practices. The demonstration plots achieved an average yield of 15.5t /ha, a substantial increase over the 12.0 t ha-1 yield from check plots, reflecting a 29.08 % yield increase. The cost of cultivation was also lower for the demo plots, averaging Rs. 37,050.00 ha-1, compared to Rs.44,700.00 ha-1 for the check plots. Consequently, economic returns were higher with average gross returns of Rs.2, 32,500 ha-1 and net returns of Rs. 1, 95,450 ha-1 for demo plots. The benefit-cost ratio for demo plots averaged 1:5.2 significantly outperforming the 1:3.02 ratio for check plots. It indicates the need for improved extension services, farmer training and better dissemination of best practices. Targeted interventions could further enhance productivity and profitability fully realizing the potential of the Arka Garima variety.