An assessment of frontline demonstrations on rapeseed in southeastern Punjab Singla Rachna*, Goel Rajni, Rampal Vipan Kumar ICAR - Krishi Vigyan Kendra, PAU, Patiala, 147001, Punjab, India *Email for correspondence: rachnasingla-ptl@pau.edu
Online Published on 26 October, 2023. Abstract The productivity of mustard in India is quite low owing to adoption gaps in recommended technologies and application of critical inputs. Farmers grow non-canola local varieties with lower seed rate, delayed sowing, low plant population, improper nutrient management and inadequate plant protection in Patiala district of Punjab. It is imperative to demonstrate high yielding mustard varieties with resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses to increase the overall production and productivity under close supervision of the scientists. Frontline demonstration is the long-term educational activity conducted by agricultural scientists in a systematic manner on farmers’ fields to show the worth of new practice/technology under the micro-farming situation. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Patiala, Punjab conducted frontline demonstrations (FLDs) during rabi 2019-20 to 2022-23 with improved technologies including better variety (GSC 7), optimum seed rate and spacing, line sowing, soil test-based nutrient management and need-based plant protection to show the productivity potential and profitability under farmers’ situations and to collect feedback information for further improvement in research and extension programmes. The results obtained from four years’ data revealed that average yield of mustard varieties under FLDs was 1,784.5 kg per ha as against 1,689 kg per ha observed under farmers’ practice, thereby, recording an average yield increase of 5.71per cent under FLDs as compared to farmers’ practice. Moreover, during the four year period, higher average gross return was recorded in demonstration plots (71,998.75/ha) as compared to farmers’ practice (68,182/ha). Top Keywords Rapeseed, FLDs, Extension gap, Canola, B-C ratio. Top |