Enhancing soybean yields and profitability: A front line demonstration of the AISb-50 variety in Adilabad, northern Telangana

Cooking oil is India's primary agricultural import, with domestic production only covering 35% of consumption. Climate change, land scarcity, and stagnant oilseed productivity are contributing to this shortfall. Soybean, a major oilseed crop, offers affordable vegetable oil, protein, and health benefits. A Front Line Demonstration (FLD) in Adilabad district of the Northern Telangana zone promoted the improved soybean variety AISb-50, aiming to mitigate climate change, reduce cultivation costs, increase yields, and boost farmers' net income by comparing it to the JS 335 soybean variety. Demo plots consistently outperformed check plots in yielding AISb-50. In 2022-23 and 2023-24, Demo plots yielded 2125 kg ha⁻¹ and 1850 kg ha⁻¹ respectively, with an average yield of 1987 kg ha⁻¹ versus 1629 kg ha⁻¹ in check plots. Despite similar cultivation costs, Demo plots yielded significantly higher gross returns and net returns. The Benefit-Cost ratio for Demo plots was 2.41:1, indicating a more efficient investment in AISb-50. The study found a Yield Gap 1 of 762.5 kg ha⁻¹ and a Yield Gap 2 of 359 kg ha⁻¹ in Demo plots, with a 27.7% technology index, suggesting potential for improved adoption.