HDPS cotton: A pathway for higher yields in rainfed situations

The present study was carried out in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh with objective of trace the feasibility of HDPS method of cotton cultivation in rainfed situations during 2023-2024. This technology was promoted by ICAR-CICR, Nagpur under special project of cotton with PPP mode through private seed companies and 34 KVKs of six different states in the country since Kharif 2023. A descriptive research design was used to analyze the factors influencing cotton production. Data collection was carried out using a structured interview schedule, with 60 farmers purposively selected based on the demonstrations conducted from two years in 60 locations from three blocks: Nandikotkur, Midthur, and Jupadubung low of the district. The study indicated that average yield recorded 22.35q/ha in demonstration plot over control (18.25q/ha) and an average additional yield of 4.10q/ha with 23.75% of average yield increase over control plot. With a two-year average technology index of 36.14%, the technological gap was 12.65 q/ha, and the extension gap was 4.1 q/ha was recorded. The demonstrated plots gave higher net returns Rs. 93,845/ha with higher benefit cost ratio 1.82 compared to farmer’s practice (1.12). Additionally, the Multiple Linear Regression analysis revealed that education, experience, and risk-bearing ability were the three independent variables that explained the majority of the variation in the adoption of HDPS practices among the demonstration farmers in the area, accounting 61.70 percent of the adoption variation among the HDPS cotton growers. In HDPS Cotton, maintaining accurate intra-row spacing was challenging with manual labor. This challenge was addressed by adopting a cost-effective manual push seed planter designed for specified area.