Vol. 9, Special Issue 9, Part K (2025)

The study was conducted in two districts Nasik and Sholapur of Maharashtra state during the two different agricultural year 2012-13 (base year) and 2014-15 (assessment year). A total of 56 farmers, from the district have been selected for detailed survey. Tomato is the major vegetable crop and playing critical role in the agrarian economy of the state. The vegetable crops are highly fertilizers consuming so that impact assessment of balanced fertilizer (NPK) use can be worked out. Primary data of input use especially inorganic fertilizer and their impact on yield and production of tomato were collected by interviewing the beneficiary farmers with the help of well-developed and pre-tested socioeconomic survey schedule. The extent of incremental income derived from the tomato production in surveyed area in assessment year has been emerged as impact of balanced use of inorganic fertilizer in enhancing profitability of crops as well as income of farmers. The quantity of NPK fertilizers were applied by the farmers 129, 75 and 26 kg/ha on surveyed farms of selected districts in base year which is lower when compared to recommended doses of application in assessment year. However, the application of NPK doses were about 86, 65 and 60 kg/ha in the district during assessment year. The incremental income of Rs. 58581/- per hectare was realized from tomato cultivation in the assessment year. Farmers also perceived that quality of fruit improved and quantity of produce increased as well after balanced use of NPK. The farmers’ practices include reducing the doses of nitrogen and induced quantity of potassium fertilizers is the key factor for enhanced income. However, it was also observed that the use of balanced fertilizer the incidences of disease and pest infestation reduced as reported by more than 86% farmers in the surveyed area. Therefore, appropriate technological interventions and policy option need to be design to encourage farmers for use of balanced inorganic fertilizers especially potassic in vegetable crop production.