VARIETAL EVALUATION OF COWPEA IN EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH

Transcription

1 VARIETAL EVALUATION OF COWPEA IN EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH Neeraj Singh 1, Mathura Rai 2 and Murari Suvedi 3 Cowpea (Vigna anguiculta [L.] Walp.), which is commercially grown throughout India for its long green pods as a vegetable, for its seeds as pulse and for its foliage as fodder, is an important component of the farming system of the arid and humid tropics. Its cultivars grown for immature green pods are variously known as asparagus bean, snake bean or yard-long bean; when grown for dry and immature seeds they are known as black-eye pea, Kaffir pea, China pea or Southern bean. Cowpea is one of the most ancient human food sources and has probably been used as a crop plant since Neolithic times (Chevalier, 1964). As one of the food legumes, it is an important source of nutrients and provides high quality, inexpensive protein to diets based on cereal grains and starchy foods. The mature cowpea seed contains 24.8 percent protein, 63.6 percent carbohydrate, 1.9 percent fat, 6.3 percent fiber, percent thiamine, percent Riboflavin and percent Niacin (Davis et al., 2000). The protein concentration ranges from about 3 to 4 percent in green leaves, 4 to 5 percent in immature pods and 25 to 30 percent in mature seeds. The amino acid profile reveals that lysine, leucine and phenylanine contents are relatively high in cowpea (Bressani and Elias, 1980). In India, despite the fact that a large number of varieties/hybrids and agrotechniques have been developed, the productivity of cowpea has still not reached the desired level. Uttar Pradesh, the largest vegetable-producing state in the country in area and production, still has low productivity compared with some other vegetable growing states. A significant gap exists between the yields of farmers and experimental fields. We generally assume that the best technologies in the research station are also the best in farmers fields. But the assumption of consistency or repeatability of technology performance between research station and farmer s field may not hold universally. Selection of the best technologies for farmers cannot be based solely on research station trials but should in fact be based on farm trials in which the new technology is compared with the farmer s existing practices under the growing conditions of his farm. Frontline demonstrations (FLD) are one of the suitable approaches for disseminating technology generated in the research center. Under this unique programme, scientists are directly involved in conducting demonstrations at the 1 Scientist, Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi. 2 Scientist, Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi. 3 Professor, Michigan Sate University, East Lansing, Michigan.

2 farmers fields then, with firsthand information of the problems related to the agricultural technologies, they can improve in formulating the objectives and setting the priorities in their research programmes. Considering the importance of frontline demonstration, the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, focused its efforts in disseminating improved varieties of cowpea (Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan) developed by the institute by putting frontline demonstrations in farmers fields in various districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh in the past three years. Specific objectives: To compare the demonstrated crop yield performance with that of the existing cultivars. To evaluate the demonstrated cowpea varieties for farmers adoption and political economic returns. Methodology: Locale of the study For this study, vegetable FLD districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh were selected for the following reasons: i. Eastern Uttar Pradesh is one of the major vegetable-growing areas of the country, where a number of public and private horticultural organizations are engaged in disseminating improved vegetable technologies among the growers through FLD and other means. ii. iii. iv. Though these regions have large areas in vegetables, there is a considerable yield gap between the research farm and farmers fields. These regions are endowed with diverse climatic conditions and have great potential for vegetable production. Here vegetable farming is done by all categories of farmers i.e., marginal, small and large land holders. v. A comparative evaluation of improved vegetable technologies will give insight into the effectiveness of IIVR, located in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. vi. These areas are easily approachable from IIVR, the institute from which the present study was operated. Selection of district Two major vegetable-growing districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi and Mirzapur were selected for the present study because of their area, production and the number of FLD by IIVR. 1

3 Selection of blocks and villages Two blocks from each district were selected randomly to represent the scenario of vegetable production of the district. Thus the total number of blocks selected for the present study was four. Subsequently, five FLD villages from each block were selected randomly on the basis of area and production of cowpea crops. Selection of farmers A list of all the FLD cowpea growers for all the selected villages was prepared, one-third of the growers from each village were randomly selected for this study. Development of questionnaire An appropriate questionnaire was developed for required data collection, keeping in view the objectives of the present study. Data collection Required data were collected by regular monitoring of demonstration fields and personal interaction with the farmers with the help of a well-structured schedule developed for the purpose. Statistical tools Appropriate statistical tools were used for analyzing the collected and tabulated data for required interpretations. Results and Discussion Eastern Uttar Pradesh is a major vegetable-growing area of the country, and a number of public and private horticultural organizations are engaged in disseminating improved vegetable technologies among the growers through FLD and other means. Though a large area is in vegetables, there is a considerable yield gap between the research farm and farmers fields. Because of the importance of cowpea in vegetables, efforts were made to demonstrate two varieties of cowpea, Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan developed by the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, in the farmers fields for the past three years, and their performance and economics were evaluated in the present study and reported below. Ages of Growers The data on the ages of the respondents are presented in Table1. Table 1. Ages of cowpea growers. Age (years) Categories Frequency (N=100) Percent Less than 30 Young Middle More than 50 Old Range Mean 36 years Standard deviation

4 The data reveal that more than 50 percent of selected cowpea growers are from the middle age group i.e., between 30 and 50 years. That suggests that older farmers are giving the responsibility of farming to younger generation instead of carrying it themselves (10 percent). Education Education of farmers plays a vital role in their understanding of the improved technologies of farming (see Table 2). Table 2. Education of cowpea growers Education (score) Frequency (N=100) Percent Illiterate (0) Able to read and write (1) Up to primary level (2) Middle school (3) High school (4) Intermediate (5) Graduate and above (6) Range 0-6 Mean 2.16 SD 1.52 Table 2 reveals that the majority of the farmers are educated up to middle school level (45 percent). However, 11 percent of farmers are illiterate and 25 percent just able to read and write. They require proper attention to understand the improved technologies. Land Status of Cowpea Growers Rapid increase in population reduces the land-holding capacity of the farmers, as reflected in Table 3. Table 3. Cultivable land-holding status of cowpea growers. Land holding (ha) Category Frequency (N=100) Percent Less than 1.0 Marginal Small Middle More than 5.0 Large Range Mean 3.53 SD

5 Table 3 shows that the majority of farmers in the Varanasi and Mirzapur districts of Uttar Pradesh have small to medium-sized land holdings i.e., 1 to 5 hectares. Marginal farmers with land holdings of less than 1 hectare made up11 percent of the group selected for study. Table 4. Farmers area in cowpea and FLD varieties. Land area (ha) Area in cowpea (ha) Area in FLD varieties (ha) Less than More than Range Mean SD It is quite impressive to observe farmers doing cowpea cultivation in good areas of land, despite small land holdings. Table 4 reveals that 46 percent of farmers are growing cowpea in areas of 0.5 to1.0 hectare, and 85 percent of farmers are growing FLD varieties of cowpea, Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan, in areas of less than 1.0 hectare. The average area planted in cowpea was 0.96 hectare, and the average area in FLD varieties was 0.80 hectare. The standard deviation in the above table reflects the variation among the farmers in the area in the crop. Farmers Perception of Adoption of Cowpea Varieties under FLD Adoption of any new technology by farmers is possible only if they are have a positive perception of that technology that leads to final adoption. The study looked at farmers perception of improved cowpea varieties developed by the Indian Institute of Vegetable research, Varanasi (U.P.). Results are given in Table 5. Table 5. Perceptions of cowpea growers of FLD varieties. Perception Maximum Possible Score Range Mean SD Cowpea variety Required cultural practices Required plant protection measures Cooking quality Overall perception Perception index

6 The results presented in Table 5 reveal that the farmers have a quite positive perception of the demonstrated varieties (Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan) by IIVR. The response of farmers to all traits variety, cultural practices, plant protection measures and cooking quality shows satisfaction among the farmers with their adoption. The perception index of also reflects farmers positive perception of the demonstrated varieties, which resulted in quick adoption of these varieties by the farmers in larger areas. Yield Performance of Cowpea under FLD Yield of frontline demonstration (FLD) trials and potential yield of cowpea varieties were compared to estimate the yield gaps, which were further categorized into technology and extension gaps. The adoption of technology in frontline demonstration trials was studied through the technology index, which shows the feasibility of the evolved varieties in the farmers fields. The lower the value of the technology index, the greater the feasibility of the demonstrated varieties. Table 6. Yield performance of demonstrated and traditional cultivars of cowpea. Variety Kashi Unnati & Kashi Kanchan No. of Locations Yield (q/ha) Potential FLD Traditional Percent increase over traditional Technology gap Extension gap Technology Index Table 6 reveals that Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan are the cowpea varieties with the most potential in farmers fields, as indicated by the percent increase in yield over the traditional variety grown by the farmers. The technology index of shows the great feasibility for adoption of the varieties in the farmers fields. This is also supported by the perception index in Table 5. Economic Scenario of Cowpea Cultivation Any technology, irrespective of great feasibility, cannot be adopted until and unless it is economically viable. In the present study the economics of the technology were calculated and reported in Table 7. Table 7. Economic comparison of cowpea varieties. Practice Traditional varieties FLD varieties t - value Sig. Mean SD Mean SD (2-tailed) Seed cost

7 Field preparation Cost Fertilizer cost Cultural practices cost Irrigation cost Weed management Cost Plant protection cost Harvesting cost Total Cost of Cultivation The data reported in Table 7 clearly speak to the differences between FLD and traditional varieties in cost of cultivation. Farmers in this region are mostly growing pole-type cowpea, which is not only cost-effective but also more labour-intensive. The FLD varieties of cowpea are bush-type plants. Because they are resistant to Golden mosaic virus and Pseudocercospora cruenta diseases, plant protection cost is subsequently less with them than with the traditional pole-type varieties. The t-value calculated also reflects the possibility of gaining more return with Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan than with the traditional types. Overall, they appear suitable for the replacement of existing technology in cowpea. Conclusion Cowpea is one of the food legumes, an important source of nutrients and high quality, inexpensive protein to diets based on cereal grains and starchy foods. The Indian Institute of Vegetable Research so far has developed four improved varieties of cowpea Kashi Shyamal, Kashi Gauri, Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan. Selection of best technologies for farmers cannot be based solely on research station trials because the assumption of consistency or repeatability of technology performance between research station and farmers field may not hold universally. Therefore, two varieties, Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan were demonstrated in the farmers fields of Eastern Uttar Pradesh the past three years. There performance is evaluated in the present study. Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan are the cowpea varieties with the most potential in farmers fields, as indicated by the percent increase in yield over the traditional variety grown by the farmers. The perception index of reflects farmers positive perception of the demonstrated varieties, which resulted in quick adoption of these varieties by the farmers in larger areas. The crop yield and economic returns calculated also indicate the 6

8 possibility of higher returns from Kashi Unnati and Kashi Kanchan than from the traditional variety. References: Anonymous Annual Report, NBPGR, New Delhi Anonymous Annual Report, IIVR, Varanasi Bressani, Ricardo, and L.G. Elias Nutritional value of legume crops for humans and animals. pp. 135 R.J. Summerfield and A.H. Bunting (eds.), Tith (London: Her Majesty s Stationary Office, 1980) Advances in Legume Science, Burman, U., and S. Lodha Indian Phytopathol. 49: Chevalier, A Cowpea in Africa. Revue de Botonique Appliquce ctd. Agriculture Tropicale 24: 128. Davis, D.W., E.A. Oelke, E.S. Oplinger, J.D.Doll, C.V. Hanso and D.H. Putnam Alternative field crops manual. Hort.purdue.newcrop/ afem/ cowpea.html Faris, D.G The chromosome number of Vigna sinensis (L.) Savi. Canadian J. Genet. Cytol. 6: Ferry, R.L Improved cowpea cultivars for the horticultural industry. pp. 129.In K.O. Rachie, (ed.), John Wiley and Sons, (New York:1985). Singh, Neeraj, M. Rai, H. Lal and Viswanath Increase Income by Improved Cowpea Varieties Cultivation, Phal-Phool, ICAR, New Delhi, April-June. Singh, Neeraj, M. Rai, B. Singh, M. Singh and S. Pandey Frontline Demonstration of Improved varieties of Vegetable crops, Indian Horticulture, ICAR, New Delhi, May-June. 7