Technologies gap and economics of production of pigeon pea in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh

The pulse production in the district was 130.67 thousand hectares. Out of 130.67 thousand hectares of pulses, pigeon pea was grown only 8.84 thousand hectares, which was 6.77 percent of the total pulse crop. The average productivity of pigeon pea was 8.46 quintals per hectare in the district. Most of the farmers were using Desi variety of the pigeon pea. This crop is grown in the district in Kharif season only. Most of the farmers were grown pigeon pea with mixed or intercrop. The gap percentage in relation to fertilizer application was the highest and it was 90.00 percent. 32.50 percent farmers using higher seed rate of pigeon pea. In case of fertilizer, ZnSo4 was not applying in the soil before sowing of pigeon pea. On an average, the cost of cultivation of pigeon pea was Rs. 17645.78 per hectare. The cost of manure and fertilizer application came to 24.97 percent, which was the highest in comparison to other inputs in production of pigeon pea and it was rupees 4407.90 per hectare. The cost of cultivation of big farmers was the highest in comparison to other categories of farmers i.e. rupees 18423.40 hectare. The productivity of pigeon pea falls down due to not emphases on single crop of pigeon pea. Availability of improved varieties was not easily available in their area as well as block level also. No special strategy was found in the district level as well as block level to increase productivity and production of pigeon pea although the consumption of pigeon pea is the highest.