Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Innovative Front Line Demonstrations in Tribal Areas to Enhance Bt Cotton Income through Integrated Pest Management

Abstract: Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a major cash crop, being the world’s leading natural fibre for the manufacture of textiles and edible oil. Cotton crop suffers more from insect pest attack. Due to lack of awareness of tribal farmers, KVK scientists promoted the integrated pest management practices in tribal areas for the suppression of sucking pests. The integrated pest management strategy involving many components was demonstrated through innovative large scale contagious technology demonstration in 50 acres cotton (variety- Tulasi) crop area during the year 2014-2015 Kharif season in rain fed track of East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh, India. The various production and protection parameters indicated that adoption of IPM strategies decrease the cost of production without affecting the yield. The IPM demonstration, insecticides sprays quantity reduction in Bt Cotton was 40 litres per acre respectively as compared to the local check. Adoption of IPM technology increased the net income over the local check in Bt cotton hybrids Rs. 18500/ac. In spite of increase in yield of cotton, technological gap, extension gap and technology index existed. The improved technology gave higher gross return, net return with higher benefit cost ratio as farmer’s practices