Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs): An Effective Approach to Increase the Productivity of Cluster bean in Arid Zone of Gujarat

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of front line demonstration on yield and economics of cluster bean during the kharif season of 2016-17 to 2018-19 at farmer’s field adopted villages of Bhuj, Anjar and Nakhtrana Taluka through ICAR-KVK Kukma Bhuj. A total of 31 FLDs on impact assessment of integrated crop management in cluster bean with high yielding variety RGC 1002, GM 2 and HG 2-20 were undertaken in 12.4 ha area with 8 villages in Kukma, Kotda Chakar, Chapredi, Nani Reldi, Anjar, Modsar, Moti Virani and Madhapar of Kachchh district. High yielding varieties and full package and practices displayed in demonstration plots, while existing technology treated as local check. Based on three years of data, the improved practice (IP) had an average seed yield of 1023 kg ha^-1, which increased yield upto 17.65 per cent from the farmer’s practice about 871.33 kg ha^-1. The demonstrated technology, the average extension gap, technology gap and technology index were 151.67 kg ha^-1, 177 kg ha^-1, and 14.75 per cent, respectively. The economics of demonstrations revealed the viability of improved technology, with a net return of 35349.17 Rs. ha^-1 and a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.31, compared to 28330.83 Rs. ha^-1 and 2.14 for conventional technology. A wide range of extension and technology gaps had a detrimental influence on crop output and net return in general. The results revealed that the adoption of high yielding variety with full package of practices increased mustard productivity with a significant reduction in extension and technology gap.