Production and Economics of Tomato Cultivation in Agra District

Among vegetable crops, tomato is one of the largest cultivated crops globally. The increasing demand of tomato and its low productivity is major cause of concern in Agra. There is huge potential in tapping the exploitable productivity levels at farmers’ field by bridging the gap between the tomato productivity at FLD and farmer practice through conduct of need based frontline demonstration. The production share of India in tomato production is 11.5% and in India, Uttar Pradesh contributes 14.7% of total tomato production. Keeping this in view, front line demonstrations (FLD) were conducted on improved cultivation practices of tomato crop in scientific manner at farmer's field during 2008–09 and 2009–10 in winter season. The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) was 188 kg DAP + 75 kg CAN + 150 kg M.O.P. and 30 kg ZnSO₄/ha. Beside this, 200-300q FYM/ha were applied before last ploughing and thoroughly mixed in the soil. The demonstration of improved cultivation practices resulted into increase adoption of the improved tomato cultivation technology in the region. The yield in tomato increases by 23.25% and 21.95% under FLD compared to local practices over the two years. The benefit cost ratio (5.83 in 1^st year and 5.45 in 2^nd year) was comparatively higher in demonstration than the control plot (4.14 in 1^st year and 4.04 in 2^nd year).