Economic evaluation of front line demonstrations on Black Gram in Birbhum District of West Bengal

The present study indicated that in 1997–98, the numbers of demonstrations, area covered, average percentage of yield increase over the local check variety and numbers of farmers adopting the new variety except the already existing FLD partner farmers reached a point of high. However, the B: C ratio was highest in 1995–96. From then the performances of the demonstrations on black gram took a downhill trend till 2010–11. This situation prevailed mainly due to presence of improved high yielding local variety lowering the average increase of yield of the demonstrated variety over the local variety, increased cost of cultivation and stagnant market prices mainly due to absence of local dal milling units. From 2013–14 and especially after the launch of the cluster FLD programme, the performances are being brightened up. This achievement has been possible mainly due to choice of the high yielding improved varieties like WBU-108 and WBU-109 which are less than 10 years old after its official release, disseminating the pulse production technology through an integrated approach involving improved seeds, micro-nutrients and Rhizobium inoculations and integrated plant protection technologies and establishment of mini-dal processing units throughout the district with central sector assistance and enhanced minimum support price as announced by Government of India.