Adoption pattern and economic impact of potato variety Kufri Khyati in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Potato is the most consumed food crop worldwide after wheat and rice. In India, it is the most important vegetable grown mostly in Indo-Gangetic plains. In view of ever increasing population, yield of potato has to be increased by use of improved variety and technology. The present study was undertaken in Uttar Pradesh, the highest potato producing state of India; to study the adoption intensity and economic impact of short duration and high yielding potato variety Kufri Khyati. Ex post facto research design was used and data was collected from 96 farmers using structured interview schedule.    Analysis of data revealed that Kufri Pukhraj (33.1%) followed by Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Khyati and Kufri Bahar were most popular varieties in study area. To find out economic impact of Kufri Khyati, its cost of cultivation, gross as well as net return were calculated and compared with Kufri Pukhraj. It was found that cost of cultivation of K. Khyati was slightly higher than that of Kufri Pukhraj. However, due to more yield and higher selling price, gross as well as net return was higher for Kufri Khyati than prevailing variety Kufri Pukhraj. The net return of Kufri Khyati was nearly 21 per cent higher than that of Kufri Pukhraj. The major constraints faced by potato growers in study area were inadequate availability of quality potato seed, higher charges for cold storage, higher ncidence of diseases and fluctuation of potato price in market.