Impact of front line demonstrations on yield of cumin (Cuminum Cyminum L.) in arid region of Rajasthan

The present study was conducted in Gudhamalani, Chouhtan and Sindari, Panchayat Samities, Barmer district of Rajasthan. There Panchayat Samities were selected maximum number (80) of Front Line Demonstrations on cumin crop were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Danta, Barmer District during last five years (2006–07 to 2010–11). The crop was sown from 2^th week of November to 4^th week of November. The area under each demonstration was 0.40 ha. The results revealed that the cumin varieties average yield recorded in the FLDs field and farmer's field highest yield was 5.93 and 4.35 q/ha⁻¹ during 2010–11 and FLDs field and farmer's field lowest yield was 4.22q/ha⁻¹ and 3.41q/ha⁻¹ during 2006–07, respectively. The result shows that 23 to 36 per cent yield increase in FLDs over farmers practice during 2006–07 to 2010–11. On an overall basis, 28.38 percent increase in yield was recorded. The higher net return of 60150/-per hectare was obtained in the years 2010–11 for FLD plots. The highest B: C ratio (3.52) was observed in the years 2010–11 and lowest B: C ratio (3.20) was observed in years 2006–07 for FLD plots. The extension gap ranged from 3.81q/ha-1 to 3.85q/ha-1 during the study period. The technology gap which is the difference between potential yield and yield of demonstration plots was between 0.83q/ha⁻¹ to 0.99q/ha⁻¹ during the study period. On an average, technology gap of 0.90q/ha-1 was observed under five years FLD programme. The technology index varied from 21.39 percent (2009–10) to 25.85 percent (2007–08). Keeping in view of an effective extension approach of FLDs for dissemination of cumin, an impact assessment of FLDs conducted by KVK, Barmer was assessed. Therefore, front line demonstration programme was an effective tool for increasing the productivity of seed spices crops and changing knowledge, attitude and skill of farmers. This created greater awareness and motivated the other farmers for adoption to improved practice of cumin production technology. These demonstrations also built the relationship & confidence between farmers and scientists. The beneficiary farmers of FLDs also play an important role as source of information and pure cumin seeds for wider dissemination of the HYV of cumin for other nearby farmers. Thus, the cultivation of cumin with improved technology has been found more productive and pod yield might be increased up to 23 to 36 percent during last five years (2006–07 to 2010–11). Technological and extension gap extended which can be bridge by popularity package of practices with emphasis of improved variety, use of proper seed rate, balance nutrient application and proper use of plant protection measures. Replacement of local variety with the released new variety of cumin would be increase in the production.