Impact of improved package of practices to sustain the productivity of mustard in north western plan zone of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Mustard is a one of the important oilseeds crop in India, 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 Nagina, Bijnor under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agricultural & Technology, Meerut (UP) had conducted frontline demonstrations (FLDs) at adopted farmer’s fields during 2009-10 and 2010-11. The result revealed that the average yield of mustard increased 14.5 percent over farmer’s practice during the demonstration period. The technology gap on average basis 650 kg/ha it shows the gap in demonstration yield over potential yield, but the above gap reduced subsequently follows the recommended package of practices. The front line demonstrations recorded higher average gross returns (Rs. 31000/ha) and net return (Rs. 18865/ha) with higher benefit cost ratio (2.56) compared to farmers practice (Rs. 28900/ha, Rs.15290/ha and 2.44, respectively). The results suggest that higher profitability and economic viability of mustard demonstrations under local agro-ecological situation.