KVK Institute-Led Initiatives and their Effect on the Knowledge and Adoption of Improved JAKI-9218 Chickpea Cultivar

The research was conducted during 2020-21 to study potential and economics of improved Chickpea varieties to improve the productivity as well as income of the farmers in Dharwad district of Karnataka. The KVK - Dharwad has been promoting varietal interventions in chickpea under Cluster Frontline Demonstrations since 2018-19. These demonstrations and extension activities have created awareness among farming community on improved technologies with special focus on IPM practices. An attempt was made to study the level of knowledge and extent of adoption of improved practices of chickpea farmers in Dharwad district of Karnataka using ex-post facto research design. Sample size consists of 120 farmers selected randomly from the beneficiary list obtained from KVK- Dharwad. The analysis indicated that 40 per cent of farmers possessed medium level of knowledge whereas 49.17 per cent farmers had medium adoption rate with regard to improved technologies. The economic analysis of Chickpea variety (JAKI- 9218) showed higher net returns of Rs.51, 165/ ha over farmers practice Rs. 44, 325 / ha and B: C ratio of 2.11 under demonstrated practice while it was 1.78 under check practice, indicated the positive effect of improved chickpea cultivar JAKI-9218. Majority of respondents revealed high cost of inputs (Chemicals, fertilizers) and lack of knowledge about balanced use of chemical fertilizers and plant growth regulators was constraint to adopt IPM technologies.