Yield Gap and Its Determinants in Pulse Crops of Bihar-Facts from Plot-level Data of Cost of Cultivation Scheme

Abstract

In order to assess the yield gap in major pulse crops and factors causing yield gap in Bihar, plot level data of Cost of Cultivation Scheme, Govt. of India were used for the year 2015-16. Simple regression model was applied to identify the factors. Results of the study pointed out that yield gap-II i.e. demonstration plot yield and farmer's field yield for all the crops considered for investigation were recorded 36.33% in red gram (Tur/ arhar), 24.38% in gram, 23.40% in lentil and 49.39 % in green gram in the state of Bihar. The major factors influencing the yield gap were identified as irrigation, quality of seeds, age and education of farmers in the state. The study revealed that breeder for the varietal development should be linked with the extension worker in order to know the ground reality of farmers so that the recommended potential yield could be harvested in the farmers' field. Effective and rapid dissemination of technologies and their knowledge to the farmer is urgent in order to achieve this objective and further the farmers be provided quality seeds and made aware of new technological and agronomic practices as included in the National Food Security Mission-Pulses (NFSM-Pulses) and strengthened by Accelerated Pulses Production Program (A3P) should be ensured in time with extension and institutional support.