Yield gap and economic analysis of cluster frontline demonstrations (CFLDs) on pulses in Eastern Himalayan Region of India

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the performance of cluster frontline demonstrations (CFLDs) in terms of grain yield, extension gap, technological gap and economic gains in pulse crops in 21 selected districts of Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura during 2017-18 to 2019-20. The data on selected parameters of demonstration plots as well as control plots were collected through experimental designs (‘Control-Treatment’) of social research. The results reveal that the average grain yield in demonstration fields of all selected pluse crops namely; field pea, black gram and lentil was higher than farmers practice. The PU 31 variety of black gram was recorded with the lowest extension gap (2.34q/ha), technology gap (0.60 q/ha) and technology index (6.74%) followed by lentil (HUL 57) with 2.58q/ha, 5.74 q/ha and 40.97% and field pea (Aman) with 3.08q/ha, 9.17q/ha and 41.67% respectively. The highest additional income (Rs. 24422/ha) in CFLD over local check was recorded in cultivation of black gram followed by lentil (Rs. 16284/ha) and field pea (Rs. 16109/ha). The results clearly indicate that the use of improved varieties and package of cultivation practices with scientific intervention under cluster frontline demonstration programme contributes to increase the productivity and profitability of pulses in the region by reducing the yield and technology gaps.