Impact of cluster frontline demonstrations on popularization of blackgram var. PU 31 in Cachar district of Barak Valley region of Assam

Abstract

Black gram is an important kharif pulse crop in Cachar district of Assam but due to unavailability of improved variety and non adoption of improved cultivation practices in the district, its productivity (550 kg/ha) is far below the average national productivity (970 kg/ha) and state average of 650 kg/ha. The present study was carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Cachar, Assam to study the yield gaps between improved package of practices under cluster frontline demonstration (CFLD) and farmer’s practice (FP) of Blackgram crop. The study found that the yield of Blackgram in CFLD under rainfed conditions ranged from 10.30 to 10.65q/ha whereas in FP it ranged between 4.0 to 6.9 q/ha. The per cent increase in yield with Improved Practices (IP) over FP was recorded in the range of 46.21 to 49.07. The extension gap and technological index were ranging between 4.76 -5.30 q/ha and 16.90-20.76 per cent, respectively. The trend of technology gap reflected the farmer’s cooperation in carrying out demonstrations with encouraging results in subsequent years. The benefit cost ratio was 2.36-2.39 under demonstration, while it was 1.4 to 1.5 under farmer’s practices. The present study resulted to convincing the farming community for higher productivity and returns.