Yield gaps and constraints in low land rice ecology of eastern Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

In India, rice is cultivated under four different ecologies, with irrigated ecology accounting for the largest area (25 mha) and highest production (71 mt) and productivity (2.9 t/ha) closely followed by rainfed low lands with an area of 15.3 mha which account for about 40% of total rice cultivated area. The importance of lowland rice cultivation warrants for systematic assessment of yield gaps and production constraints. One of the districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh viz., Faizabad was selected for the present study. Data were collected from 125 rice farmers through personal interview method and the data pertains to Kharif 2011. The difference between the potential and actual yield of the sample farmers was 1.5 t/ha. The Index of yield gap was found to be 29%. It was found that if production constraints experienced by farmers in this region are addressed, productivity can be increased to the tune of 29%. Garrett’s ranking technique was used to prioritize the constraints in rice production. Major constraints in realizing the potential yield are; the problem of submergence, pests, weed infestation and nutrient deficiency (a Garrett score of 70, 60, 56 and 49 respectively). Adoption of location specific submergence tolerant varieties and recommended package of practices would help the farmers in realizing the potential yield in the study area. Since majority of the farmers in the study area have small and marginal land holdings, they need credit facilities to procure critical inputs blended with timely extension services.