Real time cucumber production benefits farmers and consumers

Abstract

The cucumber hybrid Rajmata was raised with best management practices under Farmer FIRST Programme, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar during 2017-18 and 2018-19 in Gobindpur Gram Panchayat in Khordha district of Odisha. The farmers got fresh and tender cucumber fruit yield of 26.25 t/ha, net return of `3,67,688/ha and B:C ratio of 4.56 during 2017-18 as against fruit yield of 20.71t/ha, net return of 1,96,429/ ha and B:C ratio of 1.72. The villagers produced 42 and 87 tonnes fruit yield of cucumber and got net returns of `5,88,300 and `8,25,000 during the respective years. The farmers realized better price and the consumers got fresh fruits during scarcity period. The income generated from cucumber cultivation led to significant improvement in livelihood of farm families in form of renovation of thatched houses, food and nutritional security, better health care, education of children and creation of household assets. Some farmers diversified their agricultural activity and spent a part of income for cultivating tissue culture banana and ‘Red lady’ papaya hybrid in remaining land area in upland.