An impact and yield gap study of frontline demonstrations on fodder sorghum variety CoFS-29 in Panchmahal district of central Gujarat

Abstract

Sorghum plays an important role as fodder, in the health and nutrition of a large livestock population in India. The productivity of green fodder per unit area could be increased by adopting recommended scientific and sustainable packages and practices using a suitable high yielding variety. The present study was conducted to find out the yield gap, economics and impact assessment study of fodder sorghum variety CoFS-29 in Panchmahal district of Central Gujarat. ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Panchmahal was planned and conducted 40 front-line demonstrations on fodder sorghum to demonstrate the production potential and economic benefits of improved practices comprising of high-yielding variety CoFS-29 in Panchmahal district during 2019-20 and 2020-21. The results of the present study revealed that the improved variety of fodder sorghum variety CoFS-29 recorded significantly higher green fodder yield (482.50 qt ha-1) as compared to local check (308.50 qt ha-1). The percentage increase in the yield over local check was found to be 56.40. The extension gap, technology gap, and technological index of lucerne fodder sorghum variety CoFS-29 were found to be 174 qt ha-1, 1117.50 qt ha-1 and 69.84 percent, respectively. Economic analysis of the yield performance revealed that front line demonstrations variety CoFS-29 recorded higher net return (Rs. 66125 ha-1) with higher benefit cost ratio (3.18) which was very lucrative as compared to local checks (2.14). The farmer’s mean knowledge score had increased significantly by 39.36 after implementation of frontline demonstrations. The impact of front-line demonstrations was also analyzed which had reflected significant improvement in knowledge and satisfaction level on the part of farmers.