RA 00110.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

Table 11. Major production constraints and general production trends (1960-85) of pearl millet in some Indian states.
Indian state
Andhra Pradesh
Gujarat
Haryana
Karnataka
Punjab
Tamil Nadu
Uttar Pradesh
Major production constraints
Millet grown on poor and marginal soils.
Resource-poor farmers. Erratic rainfall.
Uncertain market trends.
Erratic and scanty rainfall,
diseases, and allocation of
marginal land to millet.
Inadequate supply of reliable HYV seed at
the required time. Poor plant populations
and stand establishment. Lack of adoption
of suggested agronomic practices such as
proper spacing, thinning, filling gaps,
weed control, rouging diseased plants,
and fertilizer use.
Lack of irrigation, timely monsoon
rains, improved seeds, and farmers'
poor economic conditions.
seed not available. High cost of
fertilizer limits its use. Lack of proper
technology to maintain adequate plant
stand and control weeds. Varieties suitable
for mixed cropping not available.
Downy mildew epidemic in 1984 and 1985,
use of marginal land, quality seed
not available, local varieties grown widely,
ergot susceptibility.
Lack of suitable hybrids (BK 560 now
susceptible to downy mildew). Stores
poorly under ordinary storage conditions;
traders dictate prices and buy low. No
industries based on pearl millet as
for maize and finger millet. Reduced
demand due to urbanization and
increased income of consumers.
Use of local and low-yielding cultivars,
delayed sowing, totally rainfed cultivation,
low plant populations, local cultural
practices, fertilizer not used, plant
protection measures not used, crop grown
on marginal land.
General production trends (1960-85)
Production was stable from 1960-70
at almost 300000 t grown on just under
600 000 ha, but increased to 336 000 t on
60 000 fewer hectares when high-yielding
cultivars were introduced in 1980. In 1984
production dropped to just over 200000 t as
farmers switched to other, higher value, crops.
Average yield in 1960-61 was 334 kg ha -1 , which
has increased yearly to a record of 1028 kg ha -1
in 1981-82. Possible reasons include use of hybrid
seed and recommended cultivation practices.
Area remained almost stable, but production
was low and fluctuated highly. Compound
production growth rate of 1.5%. High-yielding
varieties responsible for increased
productivity.
Possible reasons for increasing production trend:
varietal improvement (yield and disease
resistance), increased irrigation, and adoption of
improved technology.
Production area is decreasing as irrigation is
introduced in the tract, but production is increasing
by use of improved varieties and technology.
Area decreasing. Productivity stable at about
500 kg ha -1 , from 1960-65, but doubled
500 kg ha -1 , from HB1 was released. Yields dropped
as the hybrids became susceptible to downy
mildew in 1971-75, but rose again in 1976-80 as
new hybrids were introduced. Yields averaged
1143 kg ha -1 during 1980-85 as more new
hybrids and composites were introduced.
Decreasing trend from 1962-63 to 1974-75,
but increased until 1978-79, from which
time the trend has been decreasing again,
perhaps due to competition from other crops.
Traders reluctant to purchase WC-C75 (replacing
BK 560) because they believe it stores poorly.
Low yields in 1960-61 probably due to heavy
rains. Production trend decreased until 1981-82,
then increased. Changes apparently due to seasonal
fluctuations.
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