Production potentials, yield gaps and research prioritization of production constraints in major oilseed crops of Saurashtra region

Groundnut and sesame are the leading oilseed crops of Saurashtra region of Gujarat state. The yield gap and constraints in production were studied to set priority for major research problem areas, for better understanding of resources allocation. The multi-stage sampling procedure was followed to collect primary data from 120 farmers during 2003–04. The methodologies developed by International Rice Research Institute have been adopted to estimate the magnitude of yield gaps and identification of constraints. The investigation revealed a wide yield gap in major oilseed crops of Saurashtra region. The average yield gap II was about 710 kg/ha and 424 kg/ha in groundnut and sesame, respectively. Yield gap I was also large in both the crops. A large production potential is still unexploited in both the crops. Among abiotic constraints water stress is the single most limiting factor in Saurashtra, which caused about 3.6 lakh tones and 0.33 lakh tonnes production loss amounting to Rs. 507.37 crores and Rs. 48.97 crores in case of groundnut and sesame, respectively. Among biotic constraints, tikka in groundnut and brown angular spot in sesame topped the list causing maximum value loss of Rs. 92.93 crores and Rs. 10.97 crores, respectively. More attention towards watershed development and drip irrigation system, soil fertility management, regular power supply and strengthening extension services are the major suggestions emerged from the study.