A STUDY ON GROWERS OF UNDERUTILIZED PULSE CROP CHANI (CICER ARIETINUM L.) OF BALAGHAT DISTRICT, M.P., INDIASurendra Kumar Rai, Uttam Bisen, V.S. Gaur, S. Sarvade, R.S. Solanki, A.K. Shrivastava, R.K. Thakur, Mohmmad Imran Khan and N.K. BisenAbstract Chani or Chanoli (Cicer arietinum) is a unique small seeded underutilized gram traditionally grown in the Balaghat and some parts of Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh. It is mainly grown for its unique taste and the medicinal properties. The present study was conducted to explore the importance of Chani/ Chanoli along with the constraints faced by farmers and their experiences. Ex-post facto research design and purposive random sampling method were used in the present study. Personal interview method was used for data collection. Results show more than half of the chani growing farmers were more than 50 years old, 61.67 % of the farmers had 5-10 members in their family, 55.83 % of the farmers are engaged in farming and animal husbandry as their occupation, having small land holding. About 40.83 % and 47.50 % of the farmers had primary level of education and their annual income from farming ranged between Rs. 2,00,000-4,00,000. Farmers also reported that chani is not only part of important traditional food but it also has lots of medicinal benefits. It helps to cure arthritis, piles, constipation etc. The low yield of crop, low market price and unavailability of pure healthy seeds were top ranked constraints; while proper market facility, availability of pure healthy seeds and promotional activities to popularize the medicinal and nutritional values of chani/chanoli were found to be top ranked suggestions. |