1Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Banda, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda-210 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
2Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda-210 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
3Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hamirpur, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda-210 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
4Department of Agriculture Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda-210 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
5Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kasganj, Chandra Shekhar University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur-208 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Corresponding Author: A.P. Verma, Department of Agriculture Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda-210 001, Uttar Pradesh, India, Email: arjunverma45753@gmail.com
Legumes are an excellent source of high-quality plant protein, contributing significantly to the nutritional stability and overall health of the vast majority of Indians who follow a vegetarian diet based on cereals. Pulses are food legumes, grown primarily for their dry edible seeds, which are rich in protein, fibre and essential amino acids and minerals.
The study was conducted from 2017 to 2025 on the Pulse seed hub project entitled “Creation of seed hubs for increasing indigenous production of pulses in India”, which was sanctioned to KVK, Banda in the year of 2016–17. A descriptive research design was employed in the present study. Data were collected and analysed from 49 selected farmers and from the seed hub to assess the impact of the pulse seed hub intervention on the socio-economic status of farmers and project viability.
The results revealed that a total of 2553.41 quintals seed of major six legume crops was produced during 2017–18 to 2024–25 including 863.45 q, 954.66 q, 534.79 q, 174.26 q, 22.63 q and 3.62 q seed of chickpea, field pea, lentil, pigeon pea, green gram and black gram, respectively by KVK, Banda. These high-quality legume seeds covered around 4707.68 hectares, making up 2.62% of the Banda district’s total cropped area used for pulse agriculture. Based on farmers’ experience and desire in producing pulse seeds through buy-back agreements, seed production was undertaken on farmers’ fields in various villages of Banda district. Over the years (2017-18 to 2024–25), KVK, Banda has made INR 2.01 crores in gross revenue from its pulses seed production program. KVK, Banda has made INR 0.80 crores in net profit. The 49 farmers received INR 1.21 crores through the seed hub repurchase program, including an additional INR 20.23 lakhs from seed production.
Cropping system, Legume, Protein, Quality seed, Seed hub, Seed production
