Technological and extension yield gaps in pulse crops in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, India

Mandi is leading district of Himachal Pradesh in pulse production but with poor productivity. Thus, technological and extension yield gaps affecting yield of pulse crops under rainfed farming were studied for three years from kharif 2008 to rabi 2010–11 under frontline demonstrations programme in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, India. There was a wide yield variation between potential and demonstration yields of pulses mainly due to technology and extension gaps. Extension yield gaps varied to the extent of 368–492 kg ha ⁻¹ in blackgram (Vigna mungo), 220–417 kg ha ⁻¹ in kidneybean (Phaseolus vulgaris), 477–563 kg ha⁻¹ in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), 372–494 kg ha⁻¹ in cowpea (Vigna sinensis), 225–601 kg ha⁻¹ in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and 253–510 kg ha⁻¹ in lentil (Lens culinaris) during study period. Improved technology package has also improved the profitability of pulses in terms of gross and net returns besides enhanced incremental benefit-cost ratio (IBCR) ranging from 1.46 to 4.96. Technology index in blackgram (35.7–40.3%), kidneybean (31.3–71.0%), pigeonpea (44.9–48.9%), cowpea (62.3–71.1%), chickpea (54.7–65.8%) and lentil (56.4–60.5%); has revealed that demonstrated improved crop management technology is quite feasible under prevailing farming situations in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, but there is urgent need to aware and educate the farmers to adopt the technologically feasible and economically viable farm technology for enhancing yields and profitability through intensification of productive inputs. Improved farm technology has also increased the water use efficiency in kharif (0.59–1.80 kg ha⁻¹ -mm) and rabi pulses (0.72–8.86 kg ha⁻¹ -mm) in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Overall, it is inferred that improved farm technology has great potential in enhancing the pulse productivity, profitability and water use efficiency through frontline demonstration programme in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh and collateral farming situations in NW Himalayas as well.