An Investigation of Yield Gaps in Wheat and Maize Crops

The present study estimated yield gap I and yield gap II for wheat and maize in major producing states based on FLD data it showed that despite higher irrigation, there exists significant yield gaps in wheat during the recent years (periods 2009–11 and 2012–13). The yield gap I has shown a decreasing tendency in majority of the states included in the study except for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In contrast, in comparison to the base period (2009–11) all the states have shown significant increase in yield gap II except Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In case of rabi maize in Uttar Pradesh, yield gap II still accounts for 60.22 per cent in current period (2011–13) which shows slight increase over the base period by 2 per cent. The yield gap I has also considerably reduced in Uttar Pradesh (−5.14%) and Bihar (−14.16%), which is a good indication for productivity enhancement of this crop. Similarly, yield gap II in kharif maize has significantly reduced in the case of majority of the states included in the study such as Madhya Pradesh (−14.33) with moderate decline in Bihar (−4.64) and Uttar Pradesh (−1.10). In contrast to this Rajasthan having second highest area under maize shows considerable increase in yield gap II (2012–14) over 2009–11. The results shows the need to disseminate new technology widely to wheat and maize systems at the farmer level in major states and ensure effective extension management and dissemination strategy to reduce the existing yield gaps.