Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Vishwatej R, Ramprasad M, Lakshmi Narayanamma V, Shiva B, Ratnakar V, Veeranna G and Uma Reddy R

Abstract:
The present investigation was carried out to study the impact of cluster front line demonstrations (CFLD) conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kothagudem during Kharif season for five years i.e., 2017-18 to 2021-22 in selected villages of four mandals in aspirational district of Bhadradri Kothagudem for increasing the average yield, productivity and profitability of Pigeon pea farmers. The demonstrations focused on promoting improved agricultural technologies, including high-yielding and wilt-tolerant varieties, proper seed treatment, balanced fertilizer application, integrated pest management, and other recommended practices. The technologies for demonstrations were selected based on on-farm trials and recommendations from research institutes. The results showed consistent increase in grain yield, ranging from 15.9% to 47.6% over farmers' existing practices. The extension gap, representing the yield difference between potential and demonstrated yields, decreased over the years, from 5.3 q/ha. to 3.00 q/ha indicating successful technology adoption by farmers. The technology index, which represents the CFLD's performance as a percentage of the potential yield, averaged 24.73%, indicating reasonable technology adoption. The economic analysis also revealed that the recommended practices consistently generated higher total returns of Rs. 73,800 per hectare (ha), net returns of Rs. 41,845 per ha, and benefit-cost ratio of 2.74: 1 compared to farmers' existing practices.