Impact of NFSM Programme on Technology Adoption, Productivity and Profitability for Pulse Crops in Maharashtra

This study attempts to assess as to how far the implementation of NFSM-pulses programme has been helpful to the farmers in augmenting their area, productivity and profitability of pulses crops through assistance received by them under the programme in the form of inputs and extension services and adoption of improved recommended technology and practices. The study has also assessed the problems faced by the farmers in cultivating improved varieties of pulse crops and the remedial measures to tackle such problems. The study has shown the impact of NFSM programme on pulses crops cultivation in the state of Maharashtra to be positive. The higher profit margin could be due reasons like rise in yield levels, higher prices, adoption of technologies/measures like improved varieties of seeds, higher area under improved varieties, higher adoption of recommended practices and assistance received under NFSM-pulses programme on INM, IPM, and provision of equipments like seed drills, pumpsets, sprinklers, conoweeder, Knapp-sack sprayers, along with participation of farmers in various training programmes. The initiation of NFSM-pulses has paid rich dividends since the major thrust of this programme is on increasing seed replacements. The NFSM programme appears to much better than earlier programmes since it is equipped better monitoring, planning and capacity building.