Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Madan Lal Choudhary, Suchitra Dadheech and BL Roat

Abstract:
A study was carried-out to popularization of okra production technologies during summer seasons 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 at farmer's fields in tribal area of Dungarpur district of Rajasthan. Front Line Demonstration on okra vegetable was conducted on an area of 70 ha. Total 350 demonstrations were conducted on 350 farmers’ fields with improved technologies composed of Jamuna variety and recommended production practices. Krishi Vigyan Kendra has an innovative science–based institution, plays an important role in bringing the research scientists face to face with farmers. The main aim of Krishi Vigyan Kendra is to reduce the time lag between generation of technology at the research institution and its transfer to the farmers for increasing productivity and income from the agriculture and allied sectors on sustained basis. Front line demonstrations were conducted on okra by the active participation of the farmers with the objective of improved technologies of okra production potential. Use of hybrid variety, balanced use of fertilizer on the basis soil testing report and integrated pest and disease management etc. are the main technologies to be tested in this demonstration. Okra is a major vegetable crop of Rajasthan, but the productivity of okra is very low in this district due to lack of knowledge and partial adoption of recommended package of practice by okra cultivators. Results showed that average yield obtained were 145.9, 147.5, 148.6 and 150.2 q/ha under demonstrated practice, whereas, in farmers practice 102.2, 103.1, 102.6 and 103.4 q/ha yield was recorded during summer season 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. On an average technology gap of four years front line demonstration programme was 3.95qha. The per cent increase in yield with high yielding over local variety was 42.76 to 45.26 per cent. The extension gap recorded was 43.7, 44.4, 46.0 and 46.8 q/ha during 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. An average technology index was observed 2.60 per cent during the four years of front line demonstration programme, which showed the efficacy of good performance of technical interventions. Besides this, the demonstrated practice gave higher gross return, net return with higher benefit cost ratio when compared to farmer’s practice.