Impact of front line demonstrations on the production and productivity of moong (Vigna radiata L), mash (Vigna mungo L), rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L), lentil (Lens culinaris L) and chickpea (Cicer aeritinum L) under rainfed ecology in mid hills of J and K, India

Abstract

Pulses productivity in Jammu Kashmir, India, in North-Western (NW) Himalayas is far less than the national averages because of poor crop management cultivation of low yielding varieties. Frontline demonstration (FLD) program is an effective technology transfer tool for better technology adoption that bridges the yield gaps. The technological extension yield gaps in pulses crops were studied for 3 years during 2009-10 to 2013–2014 under an FLD programme in the Poonch District of Jammu Kashmir, India, revealing that there was a wide yield gap between potential demonstration yields due to technology extension yield gaps. In case of chickpea on the basis of three year mean data demonstrations gave 40.60 % higher yield than local check or farmers practices. Technological yield gaps affecting yield in pulses were highest in chickpea var. BG-1103(13.00 q ha-1) during rabi 2010-11 followed by moong var. SML 668 (12.40 q ha-1) during 2010-11 while lowest gap was observed in rajmash var. local (0.36 q ha-1) during 2011. In general, the technological gaps were highest in chickpea cultivar (BG-1103) lowest in rajmash cultivars in the present study. Extension yield gap varied to the extent of 0.78 to 6.00 q ha-1 in chickpea. In case of lentil, demonstrations gave 12.77 % higher yield over the local check. Extension yield gap varied from 0.25-12.52 q ha-1 in lentil. In case of moong, FLDs gave 71% higher yield than the local check extension yield gap varied from 1.27 to 1.46 qha-1. In case of mash, demonstration gave 35.5% higher yield than farmers average plot yield whereas in case of rajmash on the basis of five year mean data, demonstration gave 28.73% higher yield. Overall, it is inferred that improved farm technology has great potential in enhancing the pulse productivity and profitability through frontline demonstration programme in Poonch district of Jammu Kashmir collateral farming situations in NW -Himalayas as well.