Performance of Frontline Demonstrations for Increasing the Productivity of Rapeseed Mustard in Jammu Region

A number of frontline demonstration on Indian mustard were conducted at the farmers field in the Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu region during 8 consecutive rabi seasons of the year 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-2016, 2016-17. 2017-18 and 2018-19. On the basis of average of six years of demonstrations about 58.01 % higher seed yield was recorded under the frontline demonstration plots than farmers practice in comparison. The adoption of whole package technology recommended to the farmers resulted in tremendous increase in the production and productivity of the different areas of the Jammu region. However, the extension gap (533.17 kg/ha), technology gap (1081.33 kg/ha) and technology index (54.07 %) indicated that there is a tremendous scope of improvement through central assistance to the FLD programme. Adoption of latest agricultural practices/technologies and effective monitoring and adoption of non-monetory inputs such as timely sowing, balanced nutrition as well as timely thinning and weed management besides a supplementary investment of Rs. 3922 brought an additional return of Rs. 20818. Lower variable rates of MSP influenced the net returns on per hectare basis. The average incremental benefit cost ratio was found to be 6.68 over the period of 6 years.