Abstract
Frontline demonstration is the long-term educational activity conducted by agricultural scientists in a systematic manner on farmers’ field to show the worth of new practice/technology under the micro-farming situation. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ratnagiri had conducted the frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on oilseeds during 2011 to 2016. The KVK had organized 93 FLDs on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in two villages viz., Asage and Gawane and 26 FLDs on Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) in Gawane village from Lanja Block of Ratnagiri district. Therefore, the aim of present study was to determine the impact of frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on yield, adoption, varietal replacement of oilseed crops and its horizontal spread in Konkan region of Maharashtra state. To get the adequate size of the sample, 119 FLDs beneficiary farmers (93 Groundnut + 26 Niger) were selected as the sample for the present study. The study was conducted in experimental designs (Before-After and Control-Treatment) of social research. The findings showed that significant increase in the average yield of demonstration plot (20.57q ha-1) over the control plot (13.75 q ha-1) of groundnut crop. Average yield of niger was 2.75 q ha-1 , which increased to 3.11 q ha-1 in demonstration year. FLDs showed a positive impact on the adoption of production technologies in groundnut and niger. The ‘Local’ and ‘SB-11’ variety of groundnut were replaced by improved varieties such as ‘Konkan Trombay Tapora’, ‘TG 26’ and ‘Konkan Gaurav’. Similarly, improved ‘IGP-76’ and ‘Phule Karala’ varieties of niger replaced the ‘Local’ low yielding varieties. The area under improved varieties increased periodically. Thus, it can be inferred that FLD is an effective extension intervention to demonstrate the production potential of improved technologies in oilseed crops on farmers’ field. Therefore, it is recommended that the extension agencies engaged in transfer and application of agricultural technologies on farmer’s field should give priority to organize frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on cluster basis for harnessing the productivity potential of oilseed crops in the country.
Highlights
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) had established Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) ‘Agriculture Science Centers’ all over the India, is an institutional innovation for application of agricultural technologies at the farmer’s field with the help of a multi-disciplinary team
Impact of frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on crop yield The findings of the impact of FLDs on yield enhancement of oilseed crops viz., groundnut and niger are presented in this part
The frontline demonstrations (FLDs) organized by the KVK had enhanced the yield of oilseed crops vertically and ensured rapid spread of recommended technologies of oilseed crops horizontally
Summary
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) had established Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) ‘Agriculture Science Centers’ all over the India, is an institutional innovation for application of agricultural technologies at the farmer’s field with the help of a multi-disciplinary team. The purpose is to have an appropriate technology, which may be economically profitable, ecologically sustainable, technically feasible and culturally compatible Another important activity of KVKs is to conduct frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on flagship technologies developed by NARS on farmer’s field. The area under major oilseeds’ viz., groundnut, sesamum, rapeseed and mustard, linseed, castor, soybean, cottonseed, sunflower, safflower and niger seed occupied 20% net area sown It must, be noted that the production of oilseeds has always fallen short of our demand and there has always been a need to import oilseeds or their products. The study was undertaken to assess the impact of frontline demonstrations organized by the KVKs with specific objectives; to study the impact of FLDs on yield and adoption of oilseed crops and to know the varietal replacement of oilseed crops and its horizontal spread due to FLDs
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