Impact of Front Line DemonstrationsonMustard Productivity and Profitability in Mid Western Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Mustard is one of the most important oilseeds crop in India, which plays a major role in supplementing the income of small and marginal farmers of Budaun district in Mid Western Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh. One of the major constraints of traditional mustard farming is low productivity due to non-adoption of recommended package of practices and improved varieties. To replace this anomaly, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Ujhani,Budaun under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agricultural and Technology, Meerut (UP) had conducted frontline demonstrations (FLDs) at adopted farmer’s fields.Cultivation practices comprised under FLD viz., use of improved variety, line sowing, balanced application of fertilizers, timely weed management and control of insect-pest through insecticide -pesticides at economic threshold level showed that the yield of mustard increased from 19.66 to 26.14percent over farmer’s practice during the demonstration period from 2008-09 to 2010-11.The technology gap of 457 kg/ha as minimum during 2009-10 to maximum of 685 kg/ha during year 2010-11 was observed. The demonstrations fetched higher average additional return (Rs.4713/ha) and C:B ratio (0.14) along withhigh (52.22%) to medium (28.33%) extent of farmer’s satisfaction.