Economic Impact and Increased Vegetable Yield by Front Line Demonstrations on Vegetables in Tribal Areas of Korea District of Chhattisgarh

Korea is one of the most backward districts of Chhattisgarh (India) having 44.4% of populations are tribal. The major vegetable grown in korea like brinjal (Solanum melongena L), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), onion (Allium cepa L.) and potato (Solenum tuberosum L.). Farm science centre known as Krishi Vigyan Kendra laid down front line demonstrations conducted on five major vegetable crops under ICAR and ATMA project by introducing improved and hybrid varieties and applying scientific package of practices in their cultivation. The productivity and economic returns of brinjal, tomato, okra, onion and potato in improved technologies were calculated and compared with the corresponding farmer's practices (local checks). !ll the Five vegetable crops recorded higher gross returns, net return and benefit cost ratio in improved technologies as compared to the plots where farmer's were using traditional practices in their cultivation. It is suggested that location-specific integrated approaches would be needed to bridge the productivity gap of the vegetable crops grown in the district.