Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Satpal Singh, Rajbir Garg and Sunil Kumar

Abstract:
CCS HAU Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Panipat, Haryana, conducted this study in farmers' fields under irrigated farming conditions from 2019-20 to 2021-22 employing participatory interventions under Cluster Frontline Demonstration (CFLD). The study's main goal was to determine the yield gap between Improved Practice (IP) and farmer's practice (FP). During this time, a total of 350 CFLDs were done on 140 hectares of rice wheat and alternate cropping system, covering 19 villages and 350 farmers. Farmers meetings and focused group conversations with farmers were used to identify the gaps. Improved varieties (RH 749 & RH 725), seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2 g/Kg seed, and seed inoculation with PSB and Azotobacter were among the major technological interventions tested under CFLDs. Major technological interventions demonstrated under CFLDs consisted of improved varieties (RH 749 & RH 725), seed treatment with carbendazim @ 2g/Kg seed, Bio-fertilizer inoculation of seed with PSB & Azotobacter @ 125 ml/ha, Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 2.5 ltr/ha for weed management, recommended doses of fertilisers (NPK @80:30:20 Kg/ha, and Zinc Sulphate @ 25 Kg/ha and need based plant protection measures. According to data collected over three years, the superior practise raised output by up to 11.1% above the farmer's previous practices of 19.0 q/ha, averaging 20.7 q/ha. The extension gap, technology gap, and technology index calculated averages were 1.2 q/ha, 7.2 q/ha, and 25.9 q/ha, respectively. As a result, it can be stated that mustard crop productivity can be raised by cultivating improved varieties and using a whole package of mustard crop practices.