Enhancing Productivity of Chickpea Through Cluster Front Line Demonstration in Jaipur District of Rajasthan

Background: Chickpea is the premier pulse crop widely grown and consumed in India. Chickpea is an important pulse crop during winter season in Rajasthan. It also plays an important role in sustainable agriculture by improving the soil health through biological nitrogen fixation and by enhancing the soil microbial populations thus it is a good source of farmer livelihood and soil security. Methods: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chomu (Tankarda) Jaipur-1 conducted cluster frontline demonstrations on chickpea at farmers' field during winter season of 2019-20 and 2020-21. A total 100 demonstrations were conducted with an area of 40 hectare. A survey to get information on chickpea cultivation practices was undertaken before conducting the demonstrations. Selection of farmers and improved technology for demonstrations were done on the basis of survey information. Result: The results of the cluster frontline demonstrations observed that average yield of chickpea under demonstrations was 24.24 q/ha, which was 26.64 percent higher as compared to farmers practices (19.14 q/ha). The extension gap, technology gap and technology index were 5.10 q/ha, 2.56 q/ha and 9.56 percent respectively. Higher net return and B:C ratio recorded as ₹ 95432/ha and 4.76 under demonstration plot as compared to farmers practices (₹ 72920/ha and 4.25). The results of demonstrations observed that the low productivity at farmers’ fields may be enhanced through cluster frontline demonstrations (CFLD).