Impact assessment of Godavari pigeon pea variety among farmers in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra

Introduction

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is an important pulse crop of India and is a major source of dietary protein. It also contributes to soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation and has an important role in the agricultural economy of rainfed regions. Maharashtra is one of the major pigeon pea-growing states in India, with the crop being widely cultivated in the Marathwada region. Pigeon pea is an important component of the cropping system of this region and contributes to farm production and income. Improved varieties play an important role in increasing crop productivity and improving the economic returns of farmers. The Godavari variety of pigeon pea is an improved variety cultivated by farmers in Maharashtra and has gained importance because of its suitability to the prevailing agroclimatic conditions. Impact assessment helps to measure the changes resulting from the adoption of an improved agricultural technology. It provides information on changes in production, productivity, income and socio-economic aspects of farmers. Therefore, the present study entitled "Impact assessment of Godavari pigeon pea variety among farmers in the marathwada region of Maharashtra".

Objective

Impact of Godavari variety by pigeon pea growers.

Materials and Methods

The present study was carried out in the Chatrapati Sambhajinagar district of Marathwada region of Maharashtra state. From Chatrapati Sambhajinagar district, three tehsils namely Paithan, Phulambri, Vaijapur were selected purposively. From each selected tehsil four villages were selected randomly. From each selected villages ten farmers were selected randomly. Thus, 120 farmers were selected for the study. The research design followed for the study was Expost-facto. The collected data was measured by using frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean, 'z' test.

Results and Discussion

Economic change 1.1 Change in income

The change in farmers income before and after adopting the Godavari variety indicating the economic benefit gained through its cultivation www.extensionjournal.com The data presented in the table 1 revealed that, before cultivation, nearly two-third (64.16%) of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the medium category of change in income, followed by 21.67 per cent in the high category and 14.16 per cent in the low category. After cultivation, exactly (66.66%) of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the medium category of change in income, followed by 21.67 per cent in the high category and 11.66 per cent in the low category. The Z value change in income (15.99**) of before cultivation and after cultivation of Godavari variety was found significant at 0.01% level of probability, which indicate that there was highly significant difference among them.

Expenditure change

The Change in the cost of cultivation before and after adopting the Godavari variety, indicating its effect on farmers' production expenses. The data presented in the table 2 reveal that, before cultivation, nearly half (44.17%) of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the medium category of expenditure change, followed by 28.33 per cent in the high category and 27.50 per cent in the low category. After cultivation, majority (75.00%) of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the medium category of expenditure change, followed by 13.33 per cent in the high category and 11.67 per cent in the low category. The Z value expenditure change (18.87**) of before cultivation and after cultivation of Godavari variety was found significant at 0.01% level of probability, which indicate that there was highly significant difference among them.

Social change 2.1 Material possession

Ownership of agricultural implements and household materials by farmers, reflecting their socio-economic status and changes in their standard of living. The data presented in the table 3 reveal that, before cultivation, nearly half (48.33%) of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the medium category of material possession, followed by 28.34 per cent in the high category and 23.33 per cent in the low category. After cultivation, majority (82.50%) of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the medium category of material possession, followed by 17.50 per cent in the low category. None of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the high category. The Z value expenditure change (19.39**) of before cultivation and after cultivation of Godavari variety was found significant at 0.01% level of probability, which indicate that there was highly significant difference among them.

Technological change 3.1 Source of seed availability (Godavari)

Availability of Godavari pigeon Spea seed from agricultural universities, KVKs, government agencies, FPOs, seed producers, and private seed suppliers. The data presented in the table 4 indicate that before cultivation, nearly two-third (64.16%) of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the medium category of source of seed availability, followed by 20.00 per cent in the low category and 15.84 per cent in the high category. After cultivation, majority (67.50%) of the pigeon pea growers were observed in the medium category of source of seed availability, followed by 20.84 per cent in the high category and 11.66 per cent in the low category.

The Z value sources of seed availability (21.55**) of before cultivation and after cultivation of Godavari was found significant at 0.01% level of probability, which indicate that there was highly significant difference among them.

Involvement in seed production

Participation of farmers in seed production activities of the Godavari pigeon pea variety. The data presented in the table 5. reveal that, before cultivation, nearly two third (65.00%) of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the medium category of involvement in seed production, followed by 18.33 per cent in the high category and 16.66 per cent in the low category. After cultivation majority (66.66%) of the pigeon pea growers belonged to the medium category of involvement in seed production, followed by 19.17 per cent in the high category and 14.16 per cent in the low category. The Z value sources of seed availability (19.62**) of before cultivation and after cultivation of Godavari variety was found significant at 0.01% level of probability, which indicate that there was highly significant difference among them.

Overall distribution of Impact of Godavari Variety on pigeon pea growers

Indicates that, overall level of impact experienced by the respondents after adopting the Godavari variety. It summarizes the economic, social, and technological changes observed among the growers.

Conclusion

The study concluded that the adoption of the Godavari variety of pigeon pea had a positive impact on the farmers in the study area. The variety contributed to improvement in production, productivity and annual income of pigeon pea growers. Farmers also experienced changes in their cost of cultivation, material possessions and socio-economic status after adopting the variety. Availability of quality seed and farmers' involvement in seed production played an important role in its adoption and spread.

References

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