An Evaluative Study of Cluster Frontline Demonstration (CFLD)-Pulse in Udalguri District of Assam

Background: Pulses are considered the second most important crop next to cereals, but still there is a gap in demand and supply. The programme Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLD) was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, GOI with the aim of on-site demonstration of newly introduced cropping, production and protection techniques. In this context, KVK, Udalguri, Assam had started conducting CFLDs on black gram and green gram from the year 2018-19. Therefore, the present study was conducted to analyse the impact of CFLD programme on the farmers of the district. Methods: The impact of CFLD was studied with the parameters i.e changes of yield, income, extension gap, technology gap, technology index with 250 beneficiary and 100 nonbeneficiary farmers covering 6 villages of the district which were selected purposively during 2018-19 to 2021-22. Personal Interview method and PRA technique were followed for data collection. Result: The results revealed that there is an increase in average yield of black gram of beneficiaries over the years, 9.15 q/ha as compared to 6.93 q/ha of non-beneficiaries and for green gram, it was 8.67 q/ha (beneficiaries) and 6.82 q/ha on farmer’s practice. The mean gross return (Rs. 45625.00), net return (21125.00), B: C ratio (1.53) for black gram and mean gross return (Rs. 41125.00), net return (19712.00) and B: C ratio (1.74) for green gram was found higher in beneficiaries as compared to non-beneficiaries. Thus, higher B: C ratio proved the economic feasibility of improved technology demonstrated in the district.