Maximizing Rabi jowar productivity and economic benefits through front-line demonstrations

Abstract

Rabi sorghum is valued mainly for direct human food consumption and fodder for livestock. It is mostly grown in dryland conditions on residual soil moisture of rainy season. The productivity of sorghum is dependent on quantity of rains during pre-season monsoon and water holding capacity of soil, soil moisture conservation practices, use of high yielding cultivars on the basis of soil types and available production technologies. One of the major constraints of local rabi sorghum cultivation is low productivity due to non-adoption of recommended package of practices and improved varieties. To overcome this UAS Dharwad, Karnataka ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Haveri were conducted frontline demonstrations in farmers’ fields at various villages in the district with high yielding and SPV-2217 and applying scientific practices in cultivation. The rabi sorghum- productivity and economic returns under improved technologies were calculated and compared with the prevailing farmers’ practice. The data obtained was average for three years. It was observed that on an average 25.16 percent higher grain yield was recorded in demonstration plots than the local check. The extension gap, technology gap and technology index were 4.08 q/ha, 7.34 q/ha and 11.71 percent, respectively. Average of ten demonstration data revealed that SPV-2217 variety under improved practices recorded higher yield of 25.16 the recommended practice gave higher net returns of Rs. 51,482 ha1 and B:C ratio of 4.12 respectively as compared to farmer’s practice. An additional investment of Rs. 750 ha coupled with scientific monitoring of demonstration and non-monetary factors resulted in additional return of Rs. 15,750 ha over the farmers practices. Fluctuating minimum selling price of Rabi jowar during different years influenced the economic returns per unit area.