Assessment of improved production technologies of soybean on production and economic potentials in India

Front line demonstrations (FLDs) were conducted in different agro-ecological regions of the country to transfer the first hand knowledge on improved production technology (IT) to the farmers. During the span of 14 years (1989 to 2002), a total of 2641 demonstrations were laid out to educate the farmers through live field demonstrations. The results indicated that on an average, highest yield achieved by adoption of improved technology was 2492 kg/ha, whereas the corresponding yield under farmer's practice (FP) was 1846 kg/ha. The mean productivity levels varied from 1540 to 1991 kg/ha with an average of 1798 kg/ha under improved technology, 41.98% higher than yield achieved under farmer's practice. Sustainability yield index (SYI) brought out that the improved technology was more sustainable than the farmer's practice. The trend analysis indicated the negative linear growth rate over the years in case of yield, per cent increase in yield over farmer's practice, incremental benefit cost ratio (IBCR) and production efficiency (kg/Rs). While the average cost of cultivation, additional cost of cultivation over farmer's practice, additional returns over farmer's practice showed increasing trend (positive) over the years. The linear growth rate indicated that the additional cost was increasing at faster rate than additional returns (Rs/ha). However, on an average expenditure of Rs. 1573 on improved technology gave additional returns of Rs. 4188 over farmer's practice. The IBCR varied from 2.47 to 4.60 with an average of 3.08. The average production efficiency was identical in both improved technology and farmer's practice.