Impact of improvised production technology for rapeseed-mustard in West Bengal

Rapeseed mustard is one of the important crops under oilseed scenario in India. Likewise in West Bengal it is also one of the major oilseed crop which contributing 53% of total oilseed production of the state. One of the major constraints is low productivity of this crop due to non adoption of recommended package of practices and situation-specific improved varieties by most of the growers. The ex-post-facto analysis of secondary data pertaining to front line demonstrations (FLDs) in rapeseed-mustard conducted under ‘Integrated scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM)’ revealed 22.7% yield advantage by adoption of improved varieties may be possible. The other components viz. adoption of right method and time of sowing, seed treatment, application of sulphur and boron, integrated fertilizer and irrigation management, integrated pest and disease management showed 38.5,32.1,26.1, 23.4, 38.8 and 18.6% respectively yield advantage were exhibited over farmers’ practice. Popularization of these proven technologies to the rapeseed- mustard growers will help them to get higher economic returns with sustainable production system of the state.