Enhancing Vegetable Yield under Tribal Farming Systems: Impact of Demonstrated Interventions in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study uses cross-sectional data collected from 150 tribal farmers in one growing season across three blocks, namely Baihar, Paraswada, and Birsa of Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh to analyze the important vegetables production of grow based drip irrigation based technological interventions promoted under the tribal sub plan (TSP) scheme of the ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi), Government of India. Under farmers’ practice, vegetable yields showed limited variation across blocks, with overall low productivity due to rainfed summer cultivation, absence of improved varieties, and suboptimal nutrient and water management. In contrast, the demonstrated intervention significantly enhanced yields of all vegetable crops. Mean yields of tomato, brinjal, cauliflower, and chilli increased from 210, 100, 15, and 13 kg per 25 plants under farmers’ practice to 356, 230, 40, and 33 kg per 25 plants, respectively, resulting in an overall yield increase of nearly 94 percent. Higher extension gaps compared to technology gaps across crops indicated that yield losses were primarily due to non-adoption of recommended practices. Technology index values (11.1–23.3%) confirmed the technical feasibility of the intervention under farmers’ field conditions. Economic analysis further revealed that the demonstration technology substantially improved net income (Rs. 18,056–18,477) and the benefit–cost ratio (2.84–2.91) compared to farmers’ practice (B:C ratio 1.36–1.43), despite a marginal increase in cultivation costs. The study demonstrates that grow-bag–based drip irrigation systems significantly enhance vegetable productivity, profitability, and resource-use efficiency, offering a viable and scalable solution for improving the livelihoods and nutritional security of tribal farmers.