Performance of front line demonstrations on yield and economics of linseed (Linum usitatissimum) in Uttar-Bastarkanker district of Chhattisgarh

Introduction

India holds the principle function globally in terms of the location under linseed cultivation and ranks 0.33 in production global. Nationally, linseed is cultivated on about 468,000 hectares, with a whole manufacturing of 163,000 metric hundreds (FAOSTAT, 2017) [3] . in masses of areas, farmers regularly sow late, resulting in a shortened boom duration for the linseed crop. This past due sowing coincides with excessive temperatures and heat winds at a few level within the reproductive growth section, predominant to pressured maturity and therefore, lousy grain yield. The sowing date is a important control tool for minimizing the destructive effects of immoderate temperature and moisture pressure throughout the vital flowering and seed-filling ranges (Chauhan et al., 2008) [2] . some of the numerous oilseed vegetation grown in the usa, linseed is considered India's most critical enterprise oilseed. it's far cultivated every for the oil extracted from its seeds and the fiber acquired from its stems. The seeds incorporate an oil content material cloth beginning from 37 to forty three percent. in reality every a part of the linseed plant reveals business use, each without delay or after processing. most people of the extracted oil is applied in industries for production paints, varnishes, inks, and cleaning soap, with a very small detail used for fit to be eaten capabilities. over the past four many years, there has been a nonforestall decline in the area underneath linseed cultivation inside the Bastar region. The primary elements contributing to the decrease yield capability encompass inappropriate manufacturing generation including the published method of sowing, the usage of community kinds, the absence of fertilizer software, and premature weed manage at 45 days after sowing (Anon., 2013) [1] . The yield hole, that is maximum e4028a5c6dae3ad5086501ec6f3534d0 inside the Bastar place, may be possibly bridged via the adoption of the encouraged package deal deal of practices through farmers. The frontline demonstration programme proved effective in selling a shift in mind-set, improving the talents and know-how associated with improved linseed practices among farmers, and therefore selling their adoption. specifically, this initiative also reinforced the connection and constructed mutual self assure amongst farmers and scientists. Kirar et al. (2004) [4] mentioned that under situations of partial and full adoption, there has been a 17.50 and seven.50 percent increase, respectively, in the percentage of farmers who have come to be adopters compared to those who did now not. Verma (2013) [9] cited that the distribution of beneficiaries based totally on the modifications in their cultivated region following the implementation of FLDs on their fields. however, the persistent use of community types coupled with horrible nutrient control keeps to result in very low yields.

Materials and Methods

Frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on linseed were conducted with the aid of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kanker (Chhattisgarh), India, for the duration of the duration from 2018-19 to 2020-21 in nine villages: Kotela, Bhaisakatta, Arod, Dumali, Kapasi, Sureli, Albeda, Choriya and Varchegondi of Uttar Bastar Kanker district. a total of 75 demonstrations had been performed. In general, the soil of the examine place become sandy loam with low to medium fertility fame. The factor demonstration of frontline era in linseed covered an improved variety (RLC-92), right tillage, seed price, sowing time, method, a balanced dose of fertilizer (40:20:20 kg per hectare of N:P₂O₅:k₂O), using carbendazim + mencozeb at three g according to kg of seed as seed treatment and Trichoderma culture at 10 g per kg of seed, proper irrigation, weed control and plant safety measures (desk 1). a total of 30 hectares of place became protected over 3 consecutive years. In every demonstration, one manage plot become maintained where farmers' practices have been accompanied. The FLDs had been conducted to look at the era hole among capacity yield and demonstrated yield, the extension gap between verified yield and yield below existing exercise, and the era index (to assess the performance of the validated generation). The yield statistics have been amassed from both the demonstration plots and the farmers' exercise plots the usage of the random crop cutting method and analyzed the use of easy statistical equipment. The generation hole, extension gap and technological index (Samui et al., 2000) [5] were calculated through using following method as given below:

Technology gap = Potential yield -Demonstration yield.

Extension gap = Demonstration yield -Farmer practice yield.

Results and Discussion

The gap between the existing and recommended technologies for linseed cultivation in the Uttar-Bastar Kanker district was presented in Table 1. A full gap was observed in the adoption of improved varieties, seed treatment, seed inoculation, fertilizer dose, and weed management. In contrast, a partial gap was noted in spacing, irrigation, and plant protection measures. These gaps undoubtedly contributed to the failure in achieving the potential yield. Farmers were not aware of the recommended technologies. Generally, farmers used local or older varieties instead of the recommended high-yielding, resistant varieties. The unavailability of seed in time and a lack of awareness were the main reasons for this situation. The results obtained from three years of FLDs are presented in Table 2. The data revealed that the average yield recorded was 8.33 q ha⁻¹ under demonstrated plots compared to 5.17 q ha⁻¹ under farmers' practice. The highest yield of 8.50 q ha⁻¹ was observed in the demonstrated plot during 2020-21, and 5.55 q ha⁻¹ under farmers' practice in the same year. These results clearly indicate that the higher average grain yield in demonstration plots over the years compared to farmers' practice was due to the knowledge and adoption of the full package of practices, i.e., improved variety such as RLC 92, timely sowing, seed treatment, use of a balanced dose of fertilizer, timely weed management, and need-based plant protection measures. The average yield of linseed increased by 61 per cent. The yield of linseed could be increased compared to the yield obtained under farmers' practice (use of old varieties, untimely sowing, no use of a balanced dose of fertilizer, and no plant protection measures) of linseed cultivation. The above findings are similar to the findings of Singh et al. (2006) [8] .

Extension gap

Extension gaps of 3.25, 3.28, and 2.95 q ha⁻¹ were observed during 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21, respectively. On average, the extension gap was 3.16 q ha⁻¹, which underscores the importance of farmer education through various extension methods such as training programs, field days and information materials.

Technology gap

The technology gap was 1.90, 1.60, and 1.50 q ha⁻¹ during 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively. On average, the technology gap under the three-year FLDs program was 1.66 q ha⁻¹. The observed technology gap may be attributed to differences in soil fertility status, agricultural practices, and local climatic conditions.

Technology index

The technology index varied from 15 to 19% (Table 2). On average, the technology index observed was 16.66%, which shows the effectiveness of the technical interventions. This indicates the potential to accelerate the yield performance of linseed.

Economic

The economic viability of improved technologies compared to farmers' practices was calculated based on prevailing prices of inputs and outputs (Table 3). It was found that the cost of cultivation of linseed ranged from Rs. 22,000 to Rs. 24,000 ha⁻¹ with an average of Rs. 23,000 ha⁻¹ for the demonstration plots, compared to the cost of cultivation ranging from Rs. 14,800 to Rs. 15,100 ha⁻¹ with an average of Rs. 15,000 ha⁻¹ in farmers' practice. Cultivation of linseed under demonstration yielded higher net returns, ranging from Rs. 23,075 to Rs. 33,400 ha⁻¹ with a mean value of Rs. 29,372 ha⁻¹. In contrast, farmers' practice recorded net returns ranging from Rs. 6,200 to Rs. 10,700 ha⁻¹ with a mean of Rs. 7,725 ha⁻¹. The higher benefitcost ratios of 2.90, 2.72, and 2.25 were observed under demonstration compared to 1.42, 1.71, and 1.42 under farmers' practice in the corresponding seasons. This difference can be attributed to the higher yields obtained under the demonstrations compared to farmers' practice.

Conclusion

The FLDs produced massive tremendous consequences and provided researchers with an opportunity to demonstrate the productiveness ability and profitability of the cutting-edge technology underneath actual farming situations, which they had been advocating for a long term. this will stay away from a number of the regulations in the existing switch of era device within the Uttar Bastar Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. The higher grain yield beneath FLDs in comparison to present practices of linseed cultivation created greater focus and influenced different farmers to adopt suitable production technology in the district. the restrictions confronted with the aid of farmers varied for considered one of a kind era. Efforts ought to, therefore, be made through the extension companies of their era transfer programs to recollect the limitations as perceived thru the farmers on this studies and through private interactions. therefore, for reinforcing the manufacturing and productiveness of linseed crop, strategies need to be evolved to encourage the wider adoption of endorsed technology (Singh, P. ok. 2002) [7] . The version in the proportion yield increase modified into attributed to a lack of understanding, the usage of antique kinds, now not preserving an best plant population and a loss of plant safety measures. inside the context of sustainable agricultural practices, this take a look at concludes that the FLDs packages had been effective in changing the mind-set, abilities, and knowhow of farmers through the adoption of improved package deal and practices for linseed.

References

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