Indian Journal of Agricultural Marketing
Year : 2014, Volume : 28, Issue : 3
First page : ( 162) Last page : ( 162)
Print ISSN : 0971-8664. Online ISSN : 2456-8716.

Impact of frontline demonstration on yield enhancement of pearl millet

Parmar G. M., Mehta A. C., Padhar P. R.

Main Millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamnagar-6

Online published on 23 October, 2017.

Summary

Pearl Millet contributes significantly to food and nutritional security of the rural and urban poor people in the arid and semi arid areas of the India and its valued equally for both its grain and fodder. Although its demand in India decreasing due to commercialization of alternative food, feed and industrial product. Considerable scope of enhancement in productivity leading to higher production exists, especially in Saurastra region, farmer's meeting and field visits followed by persuasion for provision of improved variety, balanced and adequate nutrition and timely Integrated pest management. To demonstrate this, 130 Frontline Demonstrations were organized by Millet Research Station, JAU, Jamnagar between 2009–10 and 2013–14 at different districts of Saurstra region of Gujarat State under real farm situations. Prevailing farm practices were treated as control for comparison with recommended package i.e. improved variety, GHB-558, thinning 15 days after sowing, balanced use of nitrogenous fertilizers and two foliar spray of profenophos 0.05% at 20 and 40 days after germination to control the shoot fl y and stem borer pests infesting pearl millet. The cumulative effect of technological intervention over five years, revealed average yield of 2008 kg/ha, 14.5% higher over the local checks. The economics of and cost benefit ratio of both control and demonstrated plot was worked out. An average of Rs. 14975 was recorded net profit under recommended practices while it was Rs 11775 under farmer's practices. Cost befit ratio was 2.3–3.0 under demonstration, while it was 2.0–2.5 under control plots. By conducting the Frontline Demonstrations of proven technologies, yield potential and net income from pearl Millet cultivation can be enhanced to a great extent with increase in the income level of the farming community.

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