Maximizing Rabi jowar productivity and economic benefits through front-line demonstrations

Introduction

An new science-based organization called Krishi Vigyan Kendra is crucial in facilitating direct communication between farmers and research scientists. Krishi Vigyan Kendra's primary goal is to shorten the time gap between technological advancements at the research institute and its dissemination to farmers, hence boosting agricultural output and revenue on a long-term basis. According to Patel et al. (2009) [6] , KVKs are grassroots groups designed to apply technology through evaluation, improvement, and display of tested produce technologies in various micro farming scenarios within a district. A front-line demonstration is a methodical, long-term instructional program that farmers use to demonstrate the value of new technologies or practices. India's farmers continue to grow crops using information passed down from their ancestors, which results in agronomic, nutritional, and pest management techniques that are blatantly incorrect. They frequently fall short of achieving the targeted potential yield of different crops and novel kinds as a result of them. The soil is medium in P and K content and poor in organic carbon. Rabi sorghum productivity is currently insufficient for a number of reasons, including inadequate crop management techniques brought on by ignorance of and failure to implement advised production measures, and the delayed availability of high-quality seeds of better varieties. Sorghum can produce grains while having little rainfall and enduring unfavorable agroclimatic conditions. It is a staple cuisine in the Indian states of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. In India, sorghum is grown in the kharif (rainy) and rabi (post-rainy) seasons. According to Gopalan et al. (2010) [3] , sorghum is a rich source of energy and has a good number of minerals, especially iron (4.1 mg/100 g) and zinc (1.6 mg/100 g). It also includes 349 kcal, 10.4 g of protein, 1.9 g of fat, and 72.6 g of carbohydrates. According to Gopalan et al. (2010) [3] , sorghum is a rich source of energy and has a good number of minerals, especially iron (4.1 mg/100g) and zinc (1.6 mg/100g). It also includes 349 kcal, 10.4 g of protein, 1.9 g of fat, and 72.6 g of carbohydrates. Cereals are being modified by modern genetic changes to boost their nutritious content. These strategies could significantly reduce the malnourishment of populations whose diets consist primarily of one type of cereal. Since sorghum is a popular grain consumed by most people and an excellent source of nutrients, it can be effectively used to counteract nutrient deficiencies. Therefore, improved nutrient content encourages those who rely on sorghum as a staple diet to become more nutritionally empowered.

The objectives of study were as follows:

• To contrast the yield levels of the Front-Line demonstration and the local cheque (farmer methods). • To determine the crop's economic viability (local check vs.

Front Line demonstration). • To gather input so that the research and extension program can be improved even more. • Limitations on the spread of technology.

Materials and Methods

The Front Line demonstration of how to evaluate the effects of switching to a better set of techniques over farmers' methods on millets' yield and economics. An effort was undertaken to investigate how the district's economy might be affected by this technology transfer using a participatory method. The study was carried out in Karnataka's Haveri district, which is located in the Northern Transitional Zone, or Agro-climatic Zone-8. For the study, all seven of the Haveri district's blocks were taken into account. Thirty randomly chosen respondents, including Rabi Jowar, made up the study's sample. After organising the list of all recipients by year and village, the necessary sample was chosen at random for the study. The KVK in Haveri District conducted front line demonstrations (FLDs) to raise awareness of superior small millet cultivation methods. These demonstrations have enhanced the crops' output levels and increased their usefulness for domestic use. Worth noting effects were found in the study to evaluate the economic impact of the FLDs on the district economic scenario. During the kharif season of 2021-2022, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Haveri, conducted this FLD in ten demonstrations. To guarantee their active involvement, responsive progressive farmers from every village were chosen to conduct the trial. Each farmer's 0.5 hectares were used for the demonstration of the new technology. These cultivars were used as a control and compared to farmers' practices. The outcome was contrasted with the entire practice bundle. In addition to the primary data on millets yield output from the chosen farmers in FLD plots, information on local practices frequently used by farmers in this area was also gathered with the aid of an interview schedule and presented as a percentage. The qualitative data was transformed into quantitative form and expressed as a percentage of increased yield using a formula. The results were interpreted using the benefit cost ratio To evaluate mustard's performance in the 2019-20 fiscal year, farmer's fields in the Haveri district hosted front-line demonstrations. The district's soil is typically sandy to sandy loam in texture, with medium to high levels of potash, accessible phosphorus (14-17 kg/ha), and low levels of organic carbon (0.2-0.3%). Critical inputs were applied in accordance with the package of practices for each demonstration, which covered an area of 0.4 hectares. FLD was carried out using high-quality seed of the rabi jowar variety during the entire study period. October was the sowing month, while March was the harvest month (Table 1). With the aforementioned in mind, front-line demonstrations were carried out. Economic and performance indicators were taken into consideration when conducting the study.

Results and Discussion Grain yield

Grain yield increased by 20.52 percent on average in the plots that were displayed (Table 2). The year 2019-20 saw the largest rise in grain yield, which may have been caused by enhanced variety seeds and other technology that the farmers were unaware of (Samui et al., 2000) [8] .

Extension gap

In four different years, the extension gap between farmers' practices and shown technology varied from 3.6 to 1.31 q/ha; on average, it was 2.45 q/ha (Table 2). The implementation of improved technology in demonstrations, which produced a larger grain output than conventional farmer practices, may be the cause of this discrepancy.

Technology gap

There was a significant technology disparity in several years, with the lowest being 18.85 q/ha and the highest being 25.16 q/ha in 2019-20. 4.08 q/ha was the average technology gap return that was discovered. The variation in the technological gap between years may be the result of other years' recommended technologies being more feasible. Likewise, the technology index for every year that was shown matched the technological gap identified by Pritam et al. (2020) [7] and Asiwal et al. (2015) [1] . Inadequate extension services for technology transfer and higher technology for farmers.

The technology index increased by 11.71 percent on average, according to the plots that were displayed (Table 2). Khan and Chouhan (2005) [5] found that the technology index increased the most in 2019-20. it, which could be the result of farmers not knowing about new variety technologies and seed.

Economic gap

In addition to farmers' methods, several factors like as seed, fertiliser, biofertilizer, and pesticides were deemed essential inputs for the demonstration. On average, an extra Rs. 16,450/ha was invested under demonstrations. In 2019-20, the incremental benefit:cost ratio was 4.12. The outcomes support the conclusions of frontline demonstrations on oilseed and pulse crops conducted by Lathwal (2010) [4] and Choudhary et al.

(2014) [2] . The Frontline demonstration program was successful in influencing farmers' perspectives on mustard farming.

Farmers' expertise has grown as a result of growing rabi jowar on demonstration plots using advanced technologies. Additionally, FLD assisted in substituting better suggested kinds for local non-recommended ones. Additionally, this enhanced the rapport and confidence between farmers and scientists. In addition to serving as the main source of knowledge for other farmers regarding better methods of growing rabi jowar, the farmers who displayed improved technology also served as a source of high-quality, pure seeds for the following crop in their area. All farmer types, especially progressive farmers, can use the front-line demonstration idea to quickly and widely spread the suggested methods to other members of the farming community.

References

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