Yield performance of Niger and their improved variety in Mandla district under northern hill of Chhattisgarh zone of Madhya Pradesh

An On Farm Testing (OFT) trial was carried out to compare the yield performance of niger variety at farmers’ field in Mandla district (Northern Hill of Chhattisgarh Zone), Madhya Pradesh, India during Kharif season 2015 and 2016. All the improved package and practices (IP) was applied with improved Niger variety (JNS-9) while local farmer’s variety was as it is with their existing farmers’ practices (FP). The results revealed that the average seed yield was 856.50 kg/ha in IP while it was 389.00 kg/ha in FP. The average seed yield was increased by 120.26% in the IP over the FP. The average extension gap was recorded 467.50 kg/ha over the FP. The average technology gap in IP of Niger over the FP was recorded 143.50 kg/ha whereas, average technology index was 14.35%. The average cost of cultivation under IP was Rs.7840.00/ha with net return of Rs. 26420.00/ha and B:C ratio 3.37 while it was Rs. 5586.00/ha with net return Rs. 9974.00/ha and B:C ratio 1.80 under FP. On an average Rs. 16446/ha was recorded as additional income which significantly attributed due to the adoption of recommended package and practices including improved Niger variety.