Performance evaluation of frontline demonstration on line sowing of jute by CRIJAF multi-row seed drill in Hooghly district of West Bengal

Abstract

Sowing of small seeds like jute by CRIJAF multi-row seed drill has numerous benefits over traditional method of broad casting. Under NFSM (CC) Jute programme, ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore has been conducting FLDs on improved production technologies of jutein major jute growing districts of West Bengal. A study was conducted in Hooghly district of the state to evaluate the performance of FLDs on line sowing of jute by CRIJAF multi-row seed drill, one of the most important production technologies of jute.The three-year (2017–2019) results of FLDs were compiled and further analysed to calculate the per cent increase in yield, Extension gap, Technology gap and Technology index. An average increase in fibre yield (243 kg/ha) had been recorded in demonstration plots throughout the years. Technology gap had been found ranging from 6.26 q/ha to 7.89 q/ha whereas Extension gap had been identified to be in the array of2.29 q/ha to 2.60 q/ha over thesethree years. Technology index has been calculated to be in the range of 16.09 per cent to 20.28 per cent. There were reduction in total cost of cultivation (7956/ha - 12156/ha), increases in gross return (11810/ha - 16546/ha), net return (23387/ha - 27376/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (0.37- 0.41) in the demonstration plots during 2017–2019. It was proved by the FLD results that line sowing of jute by CRIJAF multi-row seed drill has an undoubted advantage over the conventional broadcasting method.