New Soyabean Variety is Creating Social Changes

A new soyabean variety is creating social changes in Ujjain. Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ujjain introduced a new soyabean variety JS 95-60 in the area which is the best fitted soyabean-potato-onion/garlic cropping system. It is a short duration soya variety, giving better productivity than traditional soya variety JS-335. Earlier, there were so many problems of poor productivity due to moisture stress at pod filling stage and non-adoption of technology.

For high yielding short duration soya variety, KVK chose three clusters for this demonstration Ujjain, Ghatiya and Mehidpur. KVK adopted methods like On Field Trial, training and extension activities. In the Front Line Demonstration (FLD) during the years 2007-2010, maximum yield was achieved up to 31.25 qt/ha and increased 57.22% over farmer’s practice. Total 2,987 hectare area was under this new variety. In current, 50 percent area has been covered by this variety in Ujjain district. On the other hand, total seed multiplication were also received 1064qtls worth of rupees 32 lakhs.

In Ujjain cluster, KVK did total 184 demonstrations and the average gross returns were 40,275 Rs/ha. in FLD and 28,145 Rs/ha. in Farmer’s Practices (FP). Average net return profit was also increased. During the FLD, it was 30,275 Rs/ha, while in FP, the same was 19,561 Rs/ha. In Ghatiya cluster, total 1,440 hectare area was under this demonstration. KVK got tremendous success in this cluster also. It did total 106 demonstration in the area and the Average Gross returns were 38,499 Rs/ha in FLD and  26511 Rs/ha in FP. In the same way, in Mehidpur cluster total numbers of demonstrations were 68 and  the Average Gross returns were  35,122 Rs/ha in FLD and 22,102 Rs/ha in FP.

In these FLDs, KVK got the best results on the scale of Benefits-Cost (B-C) ratio also. In Ujjain and Ghatiya cluster the B-C ratio was 3.09 and 2.95, while in Mehidpur cluster the same was 3.05.

In a study on social changes due to adoption of KVK intervention, total 120 farmers were selected in random manner in three villages Jalalkhedi, Deokhedi and bamora. The study showed that the competitiveness, awareness towards health, decreasing trend in migration of youth, living standard, build-up of self confidence were increased among the villagers after intervention of KVK. It also reveals that the maximum 225% growth was received in development of luxurious items. Besides that, appreciable awareness was also seen towards the development of other essential assets of farming as well as requirement of modern living standard. Modernization of houses increased 44% and economic status of farmers also changes due to increases in saving. It shows that tremendous changes achieved in construction of ‘pakka’ houses and also seen change in lifestyle of the farmers. Now, they have got toilet facility in their new houses. Purchase capacity of agricultural implements and irrigation facilities were also developed. This study also shows that after adopting KVK technology, the farmers have more luxurious items like motorcycle, mobile phone, four wheelers etc. After adopting KVK technology, prices of cultivation land and labour rate were increased. Now, the villagers are saving more in formal institutions.

Shri Yogendra Kaushik, a farmer from Ajrawda village won the ‘Best Farmer Award’ due to adoption of KVK technology.

(Source: KVK, Ujjain)