International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Sujeet Kumar, Anjani Kumar and Amrit Kumar Jha

abstract
Impact of scientific production techniques on productivity and profitability of niger was evaluated through cluster frontline demonstrations (CFLDs) by KVKs of Jharkhand under ICAR-ATARI, Zone IV, Patna during 2019-20 to 2022-23 covering 3261 farmers and 1247 ha area to evaluate the. The technological interventions were improved cultivars like Birsa Niger-1, Birsa Niger-3 and Pooja-1 with improved cultivation practices viz. line sowing, treatment of seed with fungicide, balanced nutrition, insect-pest management and weed management. The niger seed yield under CFLD and Farmer’s Practice (FP) was recorded as 5.28 q ha-1 and 3.74 q ha-1, respectively. The per cent increase in yield with Improved Practices (IP) over FP was found to be 43.64. The extension gap and technological index were 1.55 q ha-1 and 15.40 per cent, respectively. The observed technology gap (0.99 q ha-1) reflected the farmer’s cooperation in carrying out demonstrations. The higher net-return and benefit-cost ratio was recorded under CFLDs (Rs. 15,168/- to Rs. 20,077/- ha-1 and 1.71 to 2.05, respectively) as compared to FP (Rs. 8,443/- to Rs. 11,142/- ha-1 and. 1.39 to 1.70, respectively). Therefore, the results clearly indicate that the use of improved practices with scientific intervention contributed to increase the productivity and profitability of niger.