Cluster front line demonstration in green gram variety CO 8 at Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The present study was conducted by KVK, Nagapattinam during 2014-15 and 2015-16 in the Rice fallow season with fifty frontline demonstrations in Ponveli, Neduvasal, Vaanathirajapuram, Kokkur Villages of Nagapattinam district. The results of demonstrations showed that farmers could increase the green gram productivity notably by switching over to improved variety and adoption of improved production technology. From the front line demonstrations, it was observed that the improved Green gram variety CO 8 recorded a mean yield of the higher yield (5.38 q/ha) compared to the farmers’ practices variety (4.33 q/ha). The mean increase in the demonstration yield over farmer’s practices was 26.52 per cent. The average technology gap and the technology index values were 3.63 q/ha and 1.05 q/ha, respectively. The decline in overall yield and area under cultivation of green gram in Nagapattinam district from the year 2010 to 2016 was due to the high incidence of yellow vein mosaic (YVM) disease. The increment in yield of green gram crop under front line demonstrations was due to spreading of improved and latest technology viz., YVM resistance variety, seed treatment with bio-agents, recommended seed rate and plant protection measure. In spite of increase in yield, technological gap, extension gap and technology index existed. The improved technology gave higher gross return, net return with higher benefit/cost ratio than farmers’ practices.