Impact of Improved Technology on Productivity Enhancement of Toria in Northern Hill Zone of Chhattisgarh

Northern hill zone of Chhattisgarh occupied an area of 25.12 thousand hectare under toria out of 678.5 thousand hectare area under cultivation. The productivity of toria seems to be low with an average productivity of nearly 4.5 q/ha. The toria, a semi rabi crop is shown on up-lands. The soils of the field under demonstration were sandy loam to loamy in texture having low percent of organic carbon and acidic in nature. The available nitrogen and phosphorus content of the soil were low with medium in available potash. In order to increase the productivity and to popularize the oil seed crop on farmers field, the on farm demonstrations were laid out on cultivator’s field at KVK, Ambikapur. (Surguja) during the year 2001–02. The variety JT-1 was sown as test crop at distance of 45 cm with full package of practices.

The results indicated that the seed yield of toria ranged between 6.8 to 9.6 q/ha with an average productivity of 7.73 q/ha. However,local check yielded only 2.9 q/ha. An increase of 167 per cent in seed yield of toria was recorded as compared with traditional method of toria cultivation on farmer’s field. The benefit cost ratio was observed to be 1: 1.82 with in average net income of Rs. 5215 per hectare over traditionally cultivated toria which reduced the cost of production by 40 per cent. To conclude by adopting the recommended package of practices for toria crop, it will not only increase the yield of oil seed crop but also be helpful in raising the income of the tribal farmers of northern hill zone of Chhattisgarh.