Augmentation of Higher Yields and Economic Profitability in Blackgram through ClusterFront Line Demonstrations at Southern Agro-climatic Zone of Tamil Nadu, India

The yield of blackgram was realized ranged from 500 to 700 kg ha -1 which is low compared to the potential yield under irrigated conditions. Since there is a huge scope to increase the yield under this situation by creating awareness on latest technologies, Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University intervened by conducting Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) with latest technologies as a full package. The package included improved practices viz. varieties and technologies for crop establishment, weed, nutrient, pest and disease management and moisture stress mitigation in blackgram. A total of 50 FLDs under 40 hectares were conducted in Nanguneri blocks of Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu during 2019-20 under TNIAMP- (Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project) in Pachaiyar Sub Basin. The yield obtained in individual farmer’s holding revealed that, in blackgram, a maximum grain yield of 832 kg ha -1 was obtained with latest technologies at Nanguneri Block of Tirunelveli district which is 19.5% higher than farmer’s practice (696 kg ha -1 ). In terms of monetary advantage, 28.0% higher net return was realized. It is inferred that, the increase in awareness level on varieties, time of sowing, seed rate, seed treatment, herbicide application, foliar spray, moisture stress mitigation and pest and disease management contributed to higher yields and income. The above results confirm that the adoption of scientifically improved technologies over farmers practice will improve the productivity of pulses in the state as well as in country which can help in minimize the pulse production and consumption gaps.