Field evaluation of productivity of gobhi sarson (Brassica napus) under cluster frontline demonstrations in Faridkot district of South-western Punjab

Abstract

One hundred fifty three front line demonstrations (FLDs) were conducted on farmers’ fields to demonstrate the effect of improved technologies on the productivity of canola type gobhi sarson var. GSC-7 using cluster approach in district Faridkot of Punjab during Rabi 2016-17 and 2017-18. The productivity of gobhi sarson under demonstration plots ranged between 19.2 to 20.4 q and 19.9 to 20.8 q/ha, respectively, for year 2016-17 and 2017-18, whereas, under farmers’ practice, the productivity varied from 14.1 to 14.2 q and 16.6 to 17.1 q/ha for the respective years. The maximum value of extension gap to the tune of 5.10 q/ha was recorded in cluster IV followed by cluster III and V (4.75 q/ha), cluster II (4.65 q/ha) and the least was in cluster I (4.10 q/ha). The technology gap in the demonstration plots over potential yield was the lowest i.e. 1.80 q/ha in cluster IV, whereas, the highest technology gap was recorded in cluster I (2.70q/ha). The technology index was 8.09 per cent for cluster IV and the highest (12.13%) for cluster I while the mean technology index was 9.48 per cent. The value of net returns per ha under demonstration plots was Rs. 71594 and Rs. 72170, whereas, farmers’ practice gave net returns per ha of Rs. 40626 and Rs. 52626 for the year 2016- 17 and 2017-18, respectively. The benefit: Cost ratio varied between 3.76 to 4.05 for 2016-17 and 3.73 to 4.04 for 2017-18 under demonstration plots while the value of same under farmers’ practice varied between 2.46 to 2.55 and 2.80 to 2.93, respectively, for year 2016-17 and 2017-18.