Potato Aid Livelihoods Security in Ghazipur District Through front Line Demonstrations

Potato is a good source of energy as they are rich in carbohydrates and therefore, is the fourth most important food crop after rice, wheat and maize. India is the second largest producer of potato in the world. Uttar Pradesh is the largest potato producing state in the country and accounts for 32% of total production. Potato is a very popular and important cash crop in district Ghazipurof U.P. but due to improper adoption of improved technology, its productivity is far below the average productivity of the state. Considering the scope of improvement in productivity through the recommended technologies, 32 Front Line Demonstrations (FLD) were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh during 2008–13 in three different villages at farmer's field. Farmers practices (FP) prevailing in the villages were treated as control for comparison with recommended practice like HYVs, recommended dose of fertilizers and need based plant protection measures. The highest yield (346.5 q/ha) was recorded in the year 2012–13. In front line demonstration, the yield was 32.40 per cent more over the farmers practice (261.70 q/ha), however the lowest yield (324.00 q/ha) was recorded in the year 2010–11 under FLD and 260.00 q/ha in farmers practice. The FLDs on potato an average yield of 339.00q/ha was recorded under demonstration plots as compare to farmers practice 268.74 q/ha. The average yield of potato increased 26.3 per cent more over local check while the year-wise variation in yield was to the tune of 21.05–32.40 per cent. The variation in the per cent increase in the yield was found due to variation in agro-climatic parameters and rhizosphere environment. The economics and cost-benefit ratio of both control and demonstrated plot was worked out. An average net profit of Rs 124158.00 was recorded under recommended practice while it was Rs 81278.40 under farmers practice. Cost-benefit ratio was 2.38 under demonstration, while it was 1.94 under control plots. By conducting FLDs of proven technologies, yield potential and net income from potato cultivation can be enhanced to a great extent which would lead to increase in the income level of the farming community.