Impact of rkvy and nfsm programs in bridging yield gaps of rice in eastern India

Eastern India covers maximum rice area (59%), contributes maximum to rice production (52%) of India respectively. However, the yield of rice in eastern India is much less than that of northern and southern India. Government of India has introduced mega schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY) and National Food Security Mission (NFSM) for faster dissemination of rice technologies and strengthen market infrastructure to increase yield and profit from rice cultivation in the country. This paper estimates the gains in production and productivity due to the above two schemes, estimates the existing yield gaps and suggests actions needed by rice stakeholders for bridging the gaps and provide remunerative price for their produce to rice farmers. Data analysis revealed that eastern India including Assam (BGREI states) has gained an additional production of 8.71 million tons (mt), when average data of pre-NFSM period (2003-04 to 2007-08) and post-NFSM-BGREI period (2011-12 to 2015-16) was compared, which is 68% of total production gain of India. Maximum yield gain per ha was observed in the state of Bihar (819 kg) followed by Assam (553 kg), Jharkhand (495 kg), Uttar Pradesh (308 kg) and Chhatisgarh (305 kg) during the above mentioned period. Least yield gain per ha was observed in the states of Odisha (177 kg) and West Bengal (221 kg). The returns from rice cultivation are either low or negative in eastern states in comparison to northern states like Punjab and Haryana. The support price is not at all effective in the eastern region leading to negative or low returns due to poor market infrastructure. The results of yield gap analysis in different ecosystem revealed that the gap varies from 18 to 24 percent in irrigated, 10 to 62 percent in rainfed lowland and 9 to 57 percent in rainfed upland ecosystems in different states, when frontline demonstration yield and corresponding check plot yield were compared. However, the gaps widen further i.e. 40 to 92 percent in irrigated and 20 to 95 percent in rainfed lowland in different states, when the demonstration data were compared with state average yields. Therefore, more concerted efforts by all stakeholders needs to be made for bridging yield gaps through intensive extension services, development of market infrastructure and storage facilities and expansion of irrigated area, so that modern farming practices are followed, productivity is improved and rice cultivation become remunerative in the region.