Impact of Front Line Demonstration on Scientific Temperament of Maize Growers in Jhabua District (M.P.)

Abstract

The KVK of Jhabua district (M.P.) was entrusted with the responsibility of conducting FLD in Jhabua district of M.P. The main emphasis was to maximize production per unit area by using high yielding varieties of maize in conjunction with the package and practices. While a large number of studies have been made to discuss the yield potentialities and procedures for conducting these demonstrations, limited studies have been conducted to assess the impact of FLD on knowledge and adoption level of farmers. Thus, the present study was an attempt to evaluate the impact of FLD on knowledge and adoption level of maize grower's in Jhabua district. Majority of the respondents (beneficiaries of FLD program and non-beneficiaries) possessed medium level of scientific temperament Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal crop of the world and India after wheat and rice. The state of Madhya Pradesh is the traditional maize growing state that covers 13 per cent of the total maize area and same as to the total maize production in the country. Maize is predominantly cultivated under rained condition in kharif season in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. The productivity of maize in Madhya Pradesh is very low as compared to other maize-growing states. Average yield of maize is 18.23 q/ha, average productivity of Jhabua district is 113.5 q/ha and average productivity of the state is 159 q/ha. The total area under maize in MP state is 8.49 lakh ha approximate. Front Line Demonstration (FLD) was started in maize to generate production data and feedback information to various development agencies, which are engaged in dissemination of technological advances through researchers to the farmers fields. Increasing the productivity and improving the economic condition of the farmers, depends on the level of knowledge and skills of the farmers. Front Line Demonstration (FLD) was started in maize to generate production data and feedback information to various development agencies, which are engaged in dissemination of technological advances through researchers to the farmers fields. 1.1 Global ranking in maize production: Major maize growing countries and their production (million tons). Country