Yield Gap, Yield Performance and Farmer Economics Analysis of High Yielding Biofortified Wheat Variety DBW-187 with the Special Reference to the Adoption in District Bijnor (U.P.) India
K.K. Singh *
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bijnor (U.P.) 246762, India.
P. K. Singh
Director Extension, SVPUA & T, Meerut (U.P.), India.
Shivangi
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bijnor (U.P.) 246762, India.
Pintoo Kumar
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bijnor (U.P.) 246762, India.
Omkar Singh
SVPUAT & Meerut, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research investigated the yield differences, yield efficacy, economic consequences, technology index and adoption rates of the high-yielding biofortified wheat variety DBW-187 and high-yielding wheat variety enriched with essential nutrients. It addresses crucial aspects of food security and nutrition by analyzing the gap between potential and actual farm yields. Being biofortified, DBW-187 contributes to addressing micronutrient deficiencies in populations dependent on wheat as a staple food. Frontline demonstrations were executed in 128 farmers' fields in 11 blocks from 2019-20 to 2023-24, contrasting DBW-187 with conventional farming practices. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, incorporating field tests, economic analysis, and surveys of farmers. The results indicated that DBW-187 regularly surpassed local varieties, achieving an average yield of 58.74 qt/ha, in contrast to 42.65 qt/ha for conventional farming practices, signifying a 37.72% enhancement. The technological gap averaged 38.10 qt/ha, however the extension gap was 16.09 qt/ha, signifying possibility for enhancement in achieving the varieties complete potential. The average adoption rate of DBW-187 across the district was 54.73%, exhibiting considerable heterogeneity among blocks, ranging from 47.61% to 65.21%.
Keywords: Biofortified variety, yield gap, technology index, adoption