Technology assessment for in situ ber (Zizyphus spp.) budding in arid zone of Rajasthan

The present study was carried out during the year 2006–09 at farmers’ field in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan to introduce in situ ber (Zizyphus spp.) budding technology by ‘I’ method with an objective to increase the productivity and quality of ber. For motivating the farmers, total 63 training programmes on in-situ ber budding technology were organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Agriculture Knowledge Centre) in which 1327 farmers were trained. Beside this, 37 demonstrations on in situ ber budding technology were also conducted at farmers’ field. This technology has shown a great success to the magnitude of 79.5% in prevailing conditions. The impact in terms of adoption of in situ ber budding technology was 67.5%. The technology adopted farmers earned on average 375–400 per budded ber plant per year. The diffusion of in situ ber budding technology was not only found in adopted villages but also observed in near by areas of the study villages. This diffusion was due to the programme attended by the farmers during kisan gosthies and visit to budded ber plants at farmers’ field.