Impact assessment of enhanced availability of seeds of farmers preferred variety (s) of Lentil at village level

To promote the improved varieties and production technologies of lentil in rice-fallow, DAC-ICARDA-ICAR collaborative project “Enhancing lentil Production for food and nutritional Security and improved rural livelihood” was implemented in Ballia and Fatehpur districts during 20102013. Farmers Participatory Varietal Selection Trials (FPVSTs) were laid out under different farming situations during winter seasons (2010–11, 2011–12 and 2012–13) to empower farmers in selection of suitable varieties of lentil. The participating farmers realized that cultivation of suitable, compatible, disease resistant varieties was profitable in comparison to nondescript varieties. Farmers fetched more prices with NDL-1 from the higher yield. Sixty percent (60%) area has been shifted in the project villages of Ballia district with NDL-1 and PL-6 varieties of lentil. A gradual shif of farmers towards the introduced both varieties was observed in Fatehpur district of U.P. To boost productivity as well as sustain production of lentil under the improved varieties, seed hubs have been created through formation of registered farmers associations in Fatehpur and Ballia districts under the “Uttar Pradesh Society Registration Norms-1860” in the project implementing area. Close linkage with National Seed Corporation, State Seed Certification Agencies, Private dealers and local traders have been developed for production of quality seed on large scale at village level. National Seed Corporation procured 182.25 quintals seed from these societies during 2010–13.