Indian Journal of Economics and Development, Vol 3 (11), November 2015 ISSN (online): 2320-9836 ISSN (Print): 2320-9828 Technological interventions for optimum use of resources under pulses production in Karnataka S. S. Vinayak 1 , B.S.Reddy 2 1 Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural economics, UAS, Raichur, Karnataka- 584104, India 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Kalaburagi, Karnataka-585 101 vssuragond@gmail.com 1 , bsreddyagecon@gmail.com 2 Abstract Background: India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world. However, demand for pulses exceeded its supply. To meet this situation farmers need to adopt new technology for optimum use of resources. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Kalaburagi district of Karnataka in India is purposively selected for the study wherein NFSM sponsored A3P was implemented during the period of 2010-2014. Finally, 40 farmers of A3P and 20 farmers of Non-A3P farmers of redgram and bengalgram were selected. Total sample size of 180 farmers consisting 120 A3P and 60 Non-A3P farmers. Similarly, 90 farmers of redgram and another 90 of bengalgram cultivars were chosen for the study. The Cobb-Douglas production function was employed for the study. Findings: The production function estimates indicated that output elasticities of land and fertilizers have significant influence on redgram yield in both A3P and Non-A3P farmers, with excessive use of human labour under both farmers. While, output elasticities of land and seeds have significant influence on the bengalgram yield in both A3P and Non-A3P farmers. Majority of the farmers were operating above 80 per cent efficiency levels in both the pulses across the farmers of A3P and Non-A3P mainly due to practice of modern cultivation practices. Further, more than 53 per cent of farmers under redgram and 56 per cent under bengalgram have achieved 100 per cent efficiency level in A3P farmers mainly because of better management practices with intensive use of resources by A3P farmers. Application: Indiscriminate use of inputs like labour, fertilizers, etc. resulted in sizable deviations from the optimum allocation of resources. Therefore, for increasing pulse production farmers should concentrate on reallocation of resources and thereafter consider use of new technologies. Key words: A3P, Non-A3P, redgram, bengalgram, resources, efficiency, technology 1. Introduction Pulses are the basic ingredient in the diets of a vast majority of the Indian population, as they provide perfect mix of vegetarian protein component of high biological value when supplemented with cereals. The country grows a variety of pulse crops such as bengalgram, redgram, greengram, blackgram, dry peas, lentils, etc. under a wide range of agro-climate conditions. India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world contributing around 33 per cent of the world area and 25-28 per cent of world production of pulses. About 90 per cent of the global redgram, 75 per cent of bengalgram and 37 per cent of lentil area is contributed by India. Sustained economic growth, increasing population and changing life styles are causing significant changes in Indian food basket, away from staple food grains towards high value horticultural and animal products coated [1]. While per capita consumption of food grains in general and pulses in particular has declined due to increase in population. On the supply side, per capita annual production of food grains including pulses increased significantly even though countries population increased rapidly due to rapid spread of high yielding varieties with improved crop production practices. The growth in production and yield lagged behind the population growth rate which has resulted into a decline in per capita availability of pulses from 65g/day/capita during 1965 to 33g/day/capita during 2012. This changing scenario of consumption and production will have significant influence on the demand and supply prospects of pulses. Shortfall in pulses has been attributed to a number of factors, the major ones being the 1 www.iseeadyar.org