Quantification and bridging of yield gaps for major crops of Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir

Large gaps exist between the demonstration yield and the yield of a crop under farmers practice. Frontline demonstrations were conducted to evaluate and bridge the yield gaps. In total 506 FLDs were conducted on an area of 176 ha during the last five years (2015-19) on 8 major crops of the region viz., rice, maize, brown sarson, oats, rajmash, cowpea, moong and field pea. The average demonstration yield of all the crops was significantly higher than average check yield (p<0.05). For rice, maize, brown sarson, oats, rajmash, cowpea, moong and field pea, the yield of demonstration plots was 37, 58, 39, 55, 48, 30, 23 and 36% higher than the average check yield, respectively. Technological yield gap was maximum in maize var. SMC-4 (41%) and minimum in rice var. SR-2 (2%). Extension yield gap was maximum in maize var. SMC-7 (41%) and minimum for moong (19%). The maximum Technological Index was calculated for maize var. SMC-4 (29.3%) and minimum for rice var. SR-3 (2.0%). Yield gaps and poor economics indicate poor dissemination and adoption of scientific crop management practices by farmers. A more focussed approach is needed to bridge the yield gaps and to improve the farm productivity.