On-farm assessment of improved production technologies of seed spices Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) and Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in Adilabad district of Telangana

The seed spices, Ajwain and Coriander can be grown on marginal soils as profitable winter season crops in Telangana State. They require less input and higher net returns than traditional rabi crops like chickpeas, maize, groundnut, sesamum, sunflower and safflower grown in the Adilabad district. The area under the seed spices is negligible and dependent on other states for consumption. On-farm trials (OFTs) were conducted with improved varieties of Ajwain (AA93) and Coriander (Suguna / LCC-236) to improve the yields and net returns to the farmers of Bela and Jainad clusters of the Adilabad district. These trials tested four interventions: improved varieties, seed treatment, recommended doses of fertilizers and need-based plant protection measures. In the Ajwain OFTs, the AA-93 variety coupled with an improved package of practices achieved 24.81% higher grain yield than farmer's practice with local varieties. Gap Analyses revealed a mean extension gap of 160 kg ha-1, a technology gap of 241 kg ha-1, and a mean technology index of 27.07%. With an additional investment of Rs. 2615 per ha, incorporating recommended nutrients, water management, plant protection measures, scientific monitoring, and other non-monetary factors, farmers realized an additional net return of Rs. 32,177 ha-1, with 5.47 Benefit: Cost Ratio. In similar On-farm trials in Coriander with improved variety, the Suguna (LCC-236) variety 20.27% higher grain yield than the farmers' practice with local varieties. The study revealed that there was a mean extension gap of 181 kg ha-1 and, a technology gap of 300 kg ha-1 with a mean technology index of 25%. An additional investment of Rs. 2464 ha-1 coupled with a recommended dose of fertilisers need-based plant protection measures resulted in additional net returns of Rs. 28,976 ha-1 with 5.58 as the average Benefit: Cost ratio. The study indicated seed replacement rate (SRR) of seed spices is very negligible and hence it needs to be prioritised by producing and supplying high-quality seeds of improved seed spice varieties to reach farmers.