Impact of front-line demonstrations on yield and economics of chickpea in Dahod district of Gujarat

FLD impact on chickpea yield in Gujarat

Abstract

The major constraint for low productivity of chickpea in the Dahod district of Gujarat is non-adoption of recommended package of practices and lack of awareness about the improved chickpea cultivation. To replace this old age technology, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), AAU, Dahod conducted 25 front line demonstrations across 12 villages of Dahod district on high yielding rainfed variety Gujarat Junagadh Gram 3 (GJG 3) during Rabi season 2019-20 to 2021-22. Results showed that farmers could increase the chickpea productivity notably by switching over to improved variety and adoption of improved production technology. From the front-line demonstrations, it was observed that the improved chickpea variety Gujarat Junagadh Gram 3 recorded the average yield (1300 kg/ha) compared to the farmers' practices variety i.e. Gujarat Gram 1 (1047 kg/ha) during the demonstrations year. The increase in the demonstration yield over farmer’s practices was 24.19 %. Technology gap and the technology index values were 475 kg/ha and 26.76, respectively. The decline in overall yield and area under cultivation of chickpea in Dahod district due to lack of improved variety seed resulting lower yield. The increase in yield of chickpea under front line demonstrations was due to spreading of improved rainfed variety and latest technology viz. seed treatment with bio-fertilizers, recommended seed rate, recommended dose of fertilizers and plant protection measure.