Effect of frontline demonstrations on yield enhancement of pea (Pisum sativum L.) in Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan

The study was carried out in Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan, with 25 demonstrations on pea (Pisum sativum L.) during rabi season of 2013–14 and 2014–15. To increase the productivity, high pod yield of pea variety, Azad P 3 was evaluated at tribal farmers’ fields. The pod yield under improved package of practices was 70.30 and 70.40 q/ha, increasing significantly by 30.13–31.15 per cent over farmers’ practices (53.60 q/ha and 54.10 q/ha). The ranges of average yield were 62.40–75.60 q/ha and 64.20–75.70 q/ha in demonstration fields and 51.20 q/ha 56.20 q/ha and 50.30 q/ha-58.70 q/ha at farmers’ fields during both years. The technological gap existing between the potential and demonstrable yields was substantial (16.70 q/ha and 16.30 q/ha). Technology index of 20.87 and 20.37% gave evidence that there was a scope for further improvement in productivity. There was extension gap between improved technology and farmers ’practices (9.70 q/ha and 9.60 q/ha) during both years. Therefore, frontline demonstration programme was an effective tool for increasing the productivity of vegetable pea. This created greater awareness and motivated other farmers for adoption to improved practices of pea production technology. These demonstrations also built the relationship and confidence between farmers and scientists. The beneficiary tribal farmers of FLDs also play an important role as a source of information and pure vegetable seeds and planting material for wider dissemination of high-yielding varieties of pea for nearby farmers. Thus, cultivation of pea with improved technology is more productive and pod yield might increase up to 31.5 per cent.