No abstract

Time series data on area, production and productivity of major millets (2000-01 to 2019- 20) was analyzed for Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh state. Sorghum was the most important millet crop that accounted for highest area (36.6%) and (34%) of total millet area and production in UP state, respectively. Chitrakoot district contributed highest area (31.6%) under millets. Among all the millets, pearl millet recorded highest growth rate in area (0.97%), production (3.57%) and productivity (1.59%) with low instability index for area. The overall area and production of millet crops recorded decline in all the seven districts of Bundelkhand region during overall study period (2000-20). Lalitpur district recorded highest decline in area (-22.02%), followed by Chitrakoot (-10.82%) and Jhansi district (- 10.63%) during overall study period, while during the same period Banda district recorded a growth in area (1.16%) and production (4.77 %) of pearl millet. The overall area, production and productivity of millets registered a decline in Bundelkhand region during 2000-20. This calls for aggressive promotional activities for enhancing millets production in the region.

The paper examines the temporal changes in the area, production and productivity of major pulse crops in Bundelkhand region of UP during last two decades (2000-2020). Published data on area, production and productivity was utilized for the purpose. Study period was divided into period-I (2000-10) and period II (2010-20) and overall period III (2000-2020). Consistent decline in overall pulse area (-0.64%) and production (-0.36%) was observed, however, the overall pulse productivity registered marginal upward trend (0.06%) during the analysis period (2000-20). Chickpea (-5.03% and -0.64 %) and lentil (-0.51% and – 4.37%) crops registered highest decline in overall area and production respectively. Urdbean registered highest decline (-6.52%) in productivity during the said period. In contrast, mungbean crop followed by urdbean recorded highest growth in area (3.48%, 3.02%), and production (3.61%, 2.71%), while field pea registered highest growth in productivity (1.96%). Instability of pulse production over the study period was high (30.31%), however the instability in pulse area was low (11.7%). Analysis of inter district variation in pulse performance reflected decline in area and production of pulses in all districts except in Lalitpur. Inter district variations helped in identifying the potential districts in the Bundelkhand region of UP state.

The Bundelkhand is a major pulses growing region of India. The livelihood of farm households in the region dependent on the agriculture and particularly on pulses as one of the major cultivated crop. The Bundelkhand region comprises of 13 districts which includes 7 districts from Uttar Pradesh and 6 districts from Madhya Pradesh. The major growing pulse crops are pigeonpea, urdbean, and mungbean cultivated during kharif and chickpea, field pea and lentil in rabi season. The study was conducted among 650 farmers to know the extent of adoption of improved pulse production practices and constraints perceived by the farmers in cultivation of the pulses in Bundelkhand region. The study revealed that all the sampled farmers of Hamirpur district were using improved seed of pulses whereas fertilize was applied by all the sampled farmers of Chitrakut district. The plant protection measures used by all the selected farmers of Chitrakut, Jalaun and Mahoba districts. In Madhya Pradesh, about 90% selected farmers of Sagar and Tikamgarh district were using improved seed of pulses, application of DAP and pest management done by all the farmers. About 70% farmers of Jhansi and Mahoba district farmers faced the problem of assess to quality seed while 70 % sampled farmers of Madhya Pradesh reported lack of knowledge about quality seed, non availability of fertilizers in Tikamgarh district, problem in lentil crop. Problem of weed management reported by 60-80% of sampled farmers from all the district of M. P. Thus it can be concluded that assess to quality seed, insect damage loss and menance of blue bull were the major constraints adversely impacted the pulse production in Bundhelkhand region.