Technological and Extension Yield Gaps in Oilseed and Cereal Crops under Rainfed Ecology in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Rapeseed-mustard and cereal productivity in North-Western (NW) Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir is far less than national averages except maize (Zea mays L.) in cereals because of low yielding varieties, poor crop management, non-plant protection measures and dependency on rains. Frontline demonstration (FLD) is an effective technology transfer tool for better technology adoption that bridges the yield gaps. The technological and extension yield gaps in oilseed (rapeseed-mustard) crops were studied for four years (rabi 2009–10 to rabi 2013–2014) and in cereals for six years (2009–10 to 2014–15) under FLD program in the district Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Result revealed that there was a wide yield gap between potential and demonstration yields due to technology and extension yield gaps. Extension yield gaps in oilseed varied to the extent of 1.99–5.58 q/ha in gobhi sarson (Brassica napus var. napus), 1.75–4.07 q/ha in mustard (Brassica juncea), 1.65 q/ha in toria (Brassica compestris var. toria) and in cereals varied to the extent of 2.9–10.91 q/ha in maize hybrids (Zea mays L), 5.41–11.91 q/ha in paddy (Oryza sativa L.) and 1.65–12.2 q/ha in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during the study period. Improved package of practices has also enhanced the profitability of oilseeds and cereals in terms of gross and net-returns enhancing benefit-cost ratio (2.5–7.83) and (1.8–4.20), respectively. Technology index in gobhi sarson (23.68–55.35%), mustard (30.72–54.68%), toria (38.75%), maize (28.97–72.05%), paddy (16.00–30.67%) and wheat (6.66–63.92%) has implied that demonstrated farm technology in oilseeds and cereals is quite feasible under prevailing farming situations in district Poonch, but it needs to be popularized in an intensive manner to educate hill farmers to adopt the viable methods to enhance oilseed and cereal productivity and farm profitability. Overall, it is concluded that demonstrated farm technology has great potential to improve oilseed and cereal productivity and profitability thus enabling resource-poor hill farmers to earn better livelihoods.