Comparative performance of cluster frontline demonstration for increasing productivity of pulses in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The main objectives of CFLD’s on pulses is to demonstrate and popularize the improved package of practices on farmers’ fields for effective transfer of generated technology and fill the gap between recommended technology and traditional farmer’s practices. For boosting the production and productivity of pulse crops in Surguja district, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mainpat conducted cluster frontline demonstration on pulse crops in which 94 demonstration was on pigeon pea and 43 demonstrations was on chickpea during Kharif and Rabi season 2018-19. During the study, it was observed, there was a wide yield gap between the potential and demonstration yields in both the pulse crops due to technology and extension gaps. The results revealed the increases yield of demonstrated plots that was 34.72 and 23.53 percent as compared to farmer practices for pigeon pea and chickpea, respectively due to adoption of improved package of practices. On an average, technology gap was 8.30 and 5.40 q ha-1 in pigeon pea and chickpea respectively and similarly the extensions gap was 2.50 and 2.40 q ha-1 for Pigeon pea and chickpea, respectively. The average technology index was observed 46.11% in Pigeon pea and 30% in chickpea. The economic analysis revealed that, higher net monetary return (Rs 37365 and 40610 ha-1) were observed in pigeon pea and chickpea from recommended practice as compared to farmers practice (Rs 25740 and 31830 ha-1). The additional returns were Rs. 11625 and 8780 ha-1 in pigeon pea and chickpea respectively in recommended practice. The benefit cost ratio (B:C ratio) were also recorded higher in recommended practice i.e., Rs. 2.41 and 2.04 as compared to Rs. 1.46 and 1.66 in pigeon pea and chickpea respectively from farmer’s practice. The higher additional returns and effective gain obtained under demonstrations could be due to improved technology, non-monetary factors, timely operations of crop cultivation and scientific monitoring. This can be seen as a positive indicator for formulating and disseminating, more extensive, technology specific and farmer centric CFLD programme to improve knowledge and adoption amongst farmers in the district to boost pulses production.