Indian Journal of Extension Education

Mustard is one of the most important oilseeds crop in India, which plays a major role in supplementing the income for small and marginal farmers of Gorakhpur district in North Eastern Plain region of Uttar Pradesh. The development of the Agriculture is primarily depending on the application of the scientific technologies by making the best use of available resources. To increase the production, productivity and quality of agricultural produce, Cluster Front Line Demonstrations are being conducted at various farmers ’field. Mahayogi Gorakhnath Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Gorakhpur conducted 125 cluster frontline demonstrations of Indian mustard during two consecutive years from 2017–18 to 2018–19. The critical inputs were identified in existing production technology through meetings and discussions with farmers. Prevailing farmers ’practices were treated as control for comparison with recommended practices. The average yield registered 42.67 percent higher over the farmers practice. The average of technology gap, extension gap and technology index were found to be 8.13 q/ha, 5.76 q/ha and 29.18 per cent respectively. The technology gap may be attributed to dissimilarity in the soil fertility status, local climatic situations, varietal suitability and adoption of technological practices. The extension gap indicating the need to educate the farmers through various extension approaches for the adoption of improved technologies. The lower value of technology index indicated the feasibility of the demonstrated mustard crop technology. The highest grain yield (21.50 q/ha) was recorded in the year 2018–19, it was 48.34 per cent more over the farmers practice (12.62 q/ha). Average net profitability of worth Rs. 48065.00/ha as compared with farmers practices (Rs. 28710.50/ha) were obtained and average benefit cost ratio i.e. 3.11 and 2.36 were recorded in demonstrated plot and farmers practice respectively. The higher additional returns and effective gain obtained under demonstrations could be due to improved technology, non-monetary factors, timely operations of crop cultivation and scientific monitoring. By conducting front line demonstrations of proven technologies, yield potential of mustard cultivation can be enhanced to a great extent with increase in the income level of the farming community.