Poonch is one of the most backward districts of Jammu & Kashmir state (India) having 86% of area as rainfed. Zea mays Oryzae sativa and Triticum aestivum are the three main cereals grown in the district. Farm Service Centre known as Krishi Vigyan Kendra laid down Front Line Demonstrations on these three cereal crops by introducing some new varieties and applying scientific package of practices in their cultivation. The yield and economic returns of maize, paddy and wheat in demonstrated plots were calculated and compared with the corresponding traditional plots. All the three cereal crops recorded higher gross returns, net return and B:C ratio in demonstrated plots as compared to the plots where farmers were using traditional practices in their cultivation. It is suggested that location-specific integrated approaches would be needed to bridge the yield gap of the cereals grown in the district. Keeping in view the results of Front Line Demonstrations, several trainings for farmers on scientific cultivation of maize, paddy and wheat are being conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Poonch for the farmers of the district. However, efforts restricted to selected farmers of the adopted villages need to be augmented further to cover the untouched areas of the district.
Front Line Demostration, cultivation, cereal, rainfed
