Impact of front line demonstration on the yield of Bt-cotton in Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan

Frontline Demonstration (FLD) is one of the most powerful appropriate tools to demonstrate and transfer recommended technologies among the farmers. Keeping in view of an effective extension approach of FLDs for dissemination of Bt. Cotton technology, an impact assessment of FLDs conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan was assessed. KVK conducted 67 demonstrations on Bt. Cotton crops in an area of 25 hectares in kharif, 2011and 40 demonstrations in an area of 16 ha since kharif, 2012 to 2014 in nine adopted villages by the active participation of farmers with the objective to demonstrate the improved technologies of cotton production potential. The critical inputs were identified in existing production technology through trainings, farmers meetings and group discussions with the farmers. The average four years data revealed that an average yield of demonstration plot was obtained 20.21 q ha⁻¹ over local check (17.45 q ha⁻¹) and the increase average Bt. Cotton productivity by 15.63%. The farmers have incurred average higher Netreturns of 51593.00`ha⁻¹ through these demonstrations. The comparative results of the demonstration highlight the cost benefit ratio of 3.78. Results of the demonstration had shown that the improved technologies consisting use of balanced fertilizer application, use of improved high yielding Bt. Cotton hybrids, improved cultivation practices and proper plant protection measures resulted in higher productivity of Bt. Cotton crop.