English

Abstract

Impact analysis of Front Line Demonstrations (FLD’s) of rice on yield, economic returns, level of knowledge and adoption extent was conducted through a study in temperate region of northern India, in which 240 participating farmer respondents and 240 non-participating farmer respondents from 5 representative villages in four districts were selected through stratified random sampling method for the purpose. Based on the data collected during 2014 and the interviews with the two categories of farmers, the study reveals considerable increase in the grain yield (27.75%), economic returns (27.41%) and knowledge (43.70%) among participant farmers as compared to non-participant farmers. Correlation reveals that among participating farmers age, literacy and extension contract were positively and significantly associated with the improved knowledge about rice production in all districts. In respect of non-participating farmers age, literacy, operational land holding, extension contact and farm diversification were contributing positively and significantly towards improved rice production in all districts. However, among the participating farmers exposure to different media was negatively associated with the improved knowledge in all districts. The results of regression analysis revealed that age, literacy, extension contact, attitude towards farm diversification variables among participating farmers have indeed helped in contributing to farmer’s knowledge through FLDs. Key words: Front Line Demonstration (FLD), yield gap analysis, economics, grain yields, knowledge.