Impact of front line demonstrations on integrated crop management in rice fallow black gram in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh

The productivity of pulses in India is lower than most of the major pulse producing countries. As pulses are the major protein source in Indian diet, India has become the largest importer of pulses. The aim of demonstrations in general is to raise production through transfer of technology to the farming community to increase the yields. Thus, front line demonstrations (FLD) were conducted on ICM in rice fallow black gram in various locations in Srikakulam district in North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh during Rabi 2017-18 to 2019-20 to evaluate the difference between demonstrated technologies vis-a-vis practices followed by the local farmers in rice fallow black gram. Foliar nutrient sprays and timely use of appropriate pesticides along with other low-cost technologies has greatly increased the yields (600 kg/ha) of rice fallow black gram recording pod yield of 14 pods per plant over the local check plots on an average. These results have influenced the 110 peer farmers of the same as well as farmers of the neighboring villages from the FLD farmers which have resulted in the adoption of this technology in the district.