Economic impact assessment is a process of measuring development objectives such as increase in production, income and improvements in the sustainability of production systems. The new technology transferred to farmers’ field raised many interesting issues i.e. production growth, employment and income generation. The recent trends in India’s agricultural growth and development indicate a sharp deceleration in the agricultural sector despite an overall impressive growth of the economy is a major cause of concern today. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the impact of trends in new agricultural technology witnessed after the introduction of improved methods of cultivation, particularly in arid region of Rajasthan. This will help resolving the present crisis in order to develop agriculture into a vibrant sector contributing substantially to the growth and economy for its sustainable development. In this paper, an attempt has been made to document the impact of a medicinal and a staple cereal- pearl millet variety on income generation and to analyze the responsible factors. The cost of cultivation is higher in Sonamukhi followed by hybrid pearl millet (HHB-67) and local cultivar. The total return from the Sonamukhi is much higher than pearl millet crop. The prevailing broadcasting method in Sonamukhi cultivation facilitates natural growing of water melon and thumba (Citrullus colocynthes). Sonamukhi generated additional income of Rs. 4320.00. The labour requirement for the local cultivar of pearl millet and hybrid (HHB-67) and Sonamukhi was of tune to 24, 33 and 44 man days. The Sonamukhi also acted as micro-shelterbelt. The soil fertility of the field has also increased as per farmers’ perception. Some of the fanners used the crop residue as manure afier decomposition. The additional employment was generated by 35%, 28% and 44% by employing new technology consisting of pearl millet, cluster bean and mung bean crops over traditional cultivation of pearl millet, cluster bean and mung bean crops, respectively. The contribution of new technology was of the time 33%, 27% and 40% and the remaining contribution was due to increase in complementary inputs.

The paper illustrates local indigenous systems that have evolved along the years for collection and processing of Baichnadi (Dioscorea hispida Dennst. syn. D. daemona Roxb.) tubers through a case study from a village Bhanpurkheda in Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh. The tubers are collected and processed by the local people by various indigenous methods since ages. Baiga (44% population) is one such primitive tribe that is involved in collection, processing and sale of Baichandi. The study has estimated that Baichnadi contributes to approximately 24.5% of the total annual income of a household. Traditional collection methods do not cause serious damage to the mother plants and thus ensure sustainability. Now due to poverty, the locals try to collect more and more quantity of Baichandi tubers in pursuit to enhance the income by sale. The study reveals that creating awareness on medicinal values of the plant, few small modifications in the processing and improved marketing would enhance the returns to the Baiga community in Mandla district.