International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Manpreet Jaidka and Amandeep Singh Brar

abstract
Cluster frontline demonstrations, which involve showcase the performance of improved production technologies of field crops in comparison to farmers’ practices, is one of the ventures taken up by Government of India. In this regard, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Budh Singh Wala, Moga, Punjab conducted demonstrations of oilseeds during 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23. Out of all the farmers where demonstrations were laid down, 15 farmer locations were randomly selected to collect data for statistical analysis which was performed in the randomized complete block design with 15 replications. As there were only two treatments (FLD and FPP), so the number of replication was increased to maintain the high error degree of freedom i.e., >10. Furthermore, a survey was also conducted in the year 2022-23 for the impact assessment in terms of adoption and horizontal spread of improved production technologies that were demonstrated during the preceding years. The results revealed that demonstration plots registered 22.70, 26.50, 26.28% higher grain yield during 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively. Increase in grain yield by adopting resource efficient technologies resulted in better B: C in demonstration plots than FPP during all the years. For example, demonstrations plots recorded B: C of 2.54 and 2.49 during 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively, in comparison to 1.86 and 1.90 FPP. Indices like extension gap ranged from 3.83 to 4.4 among the years which clearly depict the superiority of improved production technologies relative to farmers’ cultivation practices. The value of technology gap was lesser than 2 during all the years except during 2021-22 (2.55). It shows that during 2021-22, either farmers showed lesser cooperation in following improved production technology or there may be prevalence of unfavourable weather conditions. Weather data recorded during the February and March shows hike in ambient temperature during this period which affected the grain filling process in oilseed which in turn decreased the grain yield relative to potential yield. During the year 2020-21, demonstrations recorded 4.55 technology index but during 2021-22, the value of technology index was 11.46. Lower value of technology index indicates more viability of adoption of oilseeds in the district. Increase in technology index during 2021-22 can be attributed to increase in ambient temperature at grain filling period which decreased the grain yield. Results of the survey for impact assessment showed an overall adoption of improved production technologies to the extent of 31.08%. An overall horizontal spread of 29.64% of improved technologies was recorded in the survey. Relative to the area under oilseeds in 2018-19, an increase of 133.33% has been reported in the district during 2022-23. Out of 100farmers, 87 farmers cultivate oilseeds due to better market price followed by 73 farmers who started cultivation due to availability of high yielding varieties. Out of 100 farmers, cultivate oilseeds to sell the produce directly in the open market followed by 82 who also keep some quantity for domestic use. Less number of farmers who prefer processing of oilseeds (6) clearly shows the requirement and scope of awareness and training activities of farmers in this context so that they can earn more profit.