Bridging Yield Gaps with Science-led Interventions in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Current productivity of agricultural crops in Andhra Pradesh is lower by twoto fourfolds as compared to the achievable potential yields. Long term studies at ICRISAT based at Patancheru have demonstrated a virtuous cycle of persistent yield increases through improved management in rainfed agriculture. The present scenario clearly points to the need for adoption of scienceled interventions to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods to alleviate poverty, hunger and malnutrition in rainfed regions. In this context, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has taken up an innovative approach to adopt sciencebased development of agriculture and capacity strengthening of stakeholders with technical support from the ICRISATled consortium called “Bhoochetana”, which will increase productivity of target crops by 25% in 5 years. The strategy is to map out nutrient deficiencies in the soils, develop mandalwise balanced nutrient recommendations and conduct demonstrations/trials in a phased manner to scale out the technology to a large number of farmers in the state using improved cultivars and soil and water managemnet practices