Popularization of Tomato var. Arka Rakshak in Bishnupur District, Manipur

The Tomato being mainly grown for commercial as well as family consumption; is one of the most widely cultivated vegetables of Bishnupur District, Manipur. Due to the unavailability of disease resistant varieties, the farmers of Bishnupur District were facing a reduction in tomato yield during the Kharif season of 2012-13. The on-farm trial on varietal performance of Tomato var. Arka Rakshak was conducted during 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. The yield performance and economic impact of the assessed technology were found higher than the farmers’ practice. From the success result of two years’ trial, the Front Line Demonstration on Popularization of Tomato var. Arka Rakshak was taken up during the Kharif season of 2017-18 and 2018-19.

                                                                   

 

                                                                

Intervention process: To solve the farmers’ identified problems and enhance the Kharif tomato’s yield, the Tomato var. Arka Rakshak was introduced to about 230 farmers. The on-farm trials on the Varietal evaluation of Tomato were conducted during 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016- 17 at different locations of Bishnupur District. From the result of the assessed technology, the new Tomato var. Arka Rakshak was found as a promising variety in the District. Hence, for creating the awareness about the new promising variety that enhances production and productivity, the KVK, Bishnupur conducted Front Line Demonstration in the Years - 2017-18 and 2018-19 in the farmers’ field at different locations, viz., Leimaram, Toubul, Potshangbam, Kwasiphai, Upokpi, Khoijuman, etc.

                                                                    

 

                                                                      

Intervention technology: The different farmers’ fields for Front Line Demonstration were selected for the implementation of the demonstration programme. The group discussions and training programmes on cultivation practices of tomato were conducted for the selected beneficiaries. The detail of technology was Tomato variety Arka Rakshak, Seed rate: 400 g / ha, FYM: 5000 Kg / ha, NPK: 120:80:60 Kg / ha, Spacing: 60 cm x 45 cm. The SMS-Horticulture visited the demonstration fields during the different stages of the standing crop.

                                                             

 

Impact Horizontal spread: The demonstration conducted in the farmers’ field was appreciated by the neighboring farmers also. They too were interested in following the similar technical intervention in their fields. The variety Arka Rakshak had covered about 10 ha till the reporting period - 2018-19.

Performance of Tomato var. Arka Rakshak during 2017-18 & 2018-19

 

Crop	Average Yield (Q / ha.) Demo		Average Yield (Q / ha.) Check		Economic Impact (Rs. / ha.) 2017-18				Economic Impact (Rs. / ha.) 2018-19
	2017-18	2018-19	2017-18	2018-19	GC**	GR**	NR**	BCR**	GC**	GR**	NR**	BCR**
Tomato Var. Arka Rakshak	247.91	333.03	207.5	251.70	71956	495820	423864	6.89:1	75537	499545	424008	6.61:1

 

From the yield performance and economic impact of Tomato var. Arka Rakshak, the tomato farmers are convinced for growing the variety in large scale areas that will easily improve the economy and also support the welfare of the farmers.

(Source: ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bishnupur District, Manipur)