Zero Tillage Technology in Jute Cultivation: A Successful Venture in West Bengal

Journal article | Abhas Kumar Sinha, Apurba Kumar Chowdhury, Biplab Mitra, Prateek Madhab Bhattacharya, Rajat Chatterjee

Year: 2020

Location of research: India

Journal name: International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences Volume 9 Number 5

Data source: CA Jute protocol demonstrations in WB during Pre-kharif 2018 & 2019(UBKV)

Summary: Farmers‟ participatory demonstrations on jute cultivation using zero tillage (ZT) technology were conducted in West Bengal through standardized conservation agriculture (CA)-jute protocols developed jointly by Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT). The results of the demonstration indicated a significant yield increase under ZT over conventional practices. On average, a yield increase of 25.83-27.83% under zero tillage technology reflected the positive effect of demonstration over the existing practices. It was attributed to the maintenance of a higher plant population with increased plant height and the basal diameter under ZT. There was a considerable saving in total man-days requirement (41-42 mandays over one hectare) for the crop due to herbicidal management of weeds. The higher returns with reduced cost of cultivation under ZT technology helped to register a higher profit in terms of the B: C ratio (3.36 -4.19) over CT practices (1.99 - 2.59). The successive decreased value of the technology index (20.52 – 17.10 %) reflected the feasibility of the technology. It can be concluded that ZT technology can be considered as a successful technology in jute in terms of productivity as well as profitability for further adoption of technology.

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