Operational Framework for Development of Model Pulse Village: An Action Research

Effective and efficient dissemination mechanisms are indispensable for reaching the pulse growers operating across the country with available technological solutions for meeting the ever-growing consumption demand of pulses in the country. Concept of Model Pulse Villages was operationalised with a holistic framework in major pulse producing districts of Uttar Pradesh state. The present action research was conducted at Silhera and Salempur villages of Kanpur dehat district and Barai and Sohrapur villages in Jalaun district during 2015-19 for development of these villages as model pulse villages. The study conceptualized social, economic, technological, institutional and human skill indicators for developing Model Pulse Village. The base line survey conducted in the selected villages reflected on use of farm saved seed and fellow farmers as major source of seed, poor seed replacement rates and high yield gaps. Non availability of quality seed and climatic fluctuations were perceived as the major challenges in the villages. During 2015-16 to 2018-19, multi dimensional need based interventions were designed and executed for converting these villages into Model Pulse Villages. This included showcasing of improved pulse production technologies in farmers field through 293 package technology demonstrations on pulse crops, organization of customized 13 capacity enhancement programs for 613 partner farmers, farm women and rural youth; building social institution for farmer led diffusion of technologies and entrepreneurship development in pulse seed production. Leveraged farmers to farmer social networks for strengthening of informal seed system that led to diffusion of introduced improved varieties to 69 new villages. Further, innovative digital platforms were leveraged for enhancing information reach among pulse growers of the project villages. The project villages and partner farmers have gained recognition as local hubs of improved seed and information source on improved pulse production technologies in the region.