Realising higher lentil productivity through farmer participatory action in submountainous zone of Punjab

Cluster frontline demonstration (CFLD) program is an effective technology transfer tool to bridge the yield gaps. The technological and extension yield gaps in lentil crop were studied for three years during rabi 2017–18 to rabi 2019–2020 under CFLD program in submountainous zone of Punjab, India. Technology gap and extension yield gap of 2.20 and 1.40 q ha⁻¹, respectively were recorded in lentil during the study period. Improved technology package has also enhanced the profitability of lentil in terms of gross (Rs 44,905/- and Rs 38,928/- in DP and FP, respectively) and net returns (Rs 20,972/- and Rs 16,362/- in DP and FP, respectively) besides additional returns in the range Rs 4010–5200 ha⁻¹, enhancing incremental benefit–cost ratio (3.13–3.80). Technology index in lentil (22.09%) has implied that demonstrated farm technology in lentil is quite feasible under prevailing farming situations in Punjab, but it needs to be popularized in an intensive manner to educate farmers to adopt technologically sound and economically viable methods to enhance lentil productivity and farm profitability.