Technological Interventions for Optimum Use of Resources under Pulses Production in Karnataka

Background: India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world. However, demand for pulses exceeded its supply. To meet this situation farmers need to adopt new technology for optimum use of resources.

Methods/Statistical Analysis: Kalaburagi district of Karnataka in India is purposively selected for the study wherein NFSM sponsored A3P was implemented during the period of 2010-2014. Finally, 40 farmers of A3P and 20 farmers of Non-A3P farmers of redgram and bengalgram were selected. Total sample size of 180 farmers consisting 120 A3P and 60 Non-A3P farmers. Similarly, 90 farmers of redgram and another 90 of bengalgram cultivars were chosen for the study. The Cobb-Douglas production function was employed for the study.

Findings: The production function estimates indicated that output elasticities of land and fertilizers have significant influence on redgram yield in both A3P and Non-A3P farmers, with excessive use of human labour under both farmers. While, output elasticities of land and seeds have significant influence on the bengalgram yield in both A3P and Non-A3P farmers. Majority of the farmers were operating above 80 per cent efficiency levels in both the pulses across the farmers of A3P and Non-A3P mainly due to practice of modern cultivation practices. Further, more than 53 per cent of farmers under redgram and 56 per cent under bengalgram have achieved 100 per cent efficiency level in A3P farmers mainly because of better management practices with intensive use of resources by A3P farmers.

Application: Indiscriminate use of inputs like labour, fertilizers, etc. resulted in sizable deviations from the optimum allocation of resources. Therefore, for increasing pulse production farmers should concentrate on reallocation of resources and thereafter consider use of new technologies.