Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development

The frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on fennel crop were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nagaur-I during two consecutive years in rabi 2020–21 and 2021–22 with the objective to demonstrate the improved package of practices of fennel variety AF-1 in two adopted villages- Khajwana and Inana of Mundwa block. For the demonstration the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) at the rate of 80 kg nitrogen, 60 kg phosphorus, 40 kg potash and 20 kg zinc sulphate with 150 quintal FYM per hectare were used. There were two treatments in which one was local check and second was cultivation of improved variety of fennel (AF-1) with full package of practices. The higher yield was recorded in demonstration plots that is 19.80 q/ ha and 18.50 q/ha as compared to local check in which 15.75 q/ha and 14.85 q/ha respectively, and per cent yield increase was 25.71 per cent and 24.57 per cent under demonstration. Net returns were also recorded comparatively higher in demonstration (Rs.166440 and 177900 ha⁻¹) than local check (Rs. 127475 and 135095 ha⁻¹) with BCR (5.43 and 5.64) over the local check (4.66 and 4.78, respectively). This will substantially increase the income as well as the livelihood of the farming community. The technology gap & extension gap ranged between 2.2 to 3.5 and 4.05 to 3.65 q/ha respectively, with the technology index of 10.0 to 15.9 per cent during the demonstration years.