IMPACT OF FRONTLINE DEMONSTRATIONS OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.) IMPROVED VARIETY GJG-6 ON YIELD IN PORBANDAR DISTRICT OF GUJARAT INDIA

The study was conducted to assess the impact of frontline demonstrations on chickpea crop (variety GJG-6) in the Porbandar district of Gujarat state.Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a highly nutritious legume crop with high remuneration and widely appreciated as food being grown in whole Ghed area of the district.Frontline demonstrations of chickpea improved variety GJG-6 were conducted at 150 farmers' fields in the operational villages under cluster approach during the year 2021-22 to 2023-24.The farmers of both the demonstrated and local variety have been followed the improved package of practices of chickpea.The performance of new high yielding variety of chickpea (GJG-6) was assessed in terms of the yield comparing with the local varieties.The improved technologies recorded yields of 18.10, 15.05 and 19.11 q/ha during year 2021-22, 2022-23and 2023-24, respectively which was 12.07, 14.10 and 11.93 percent higher than the local variety.The overall increase in the yield was recorded 12.70 percent with the improved variety.The performance parameters viz., technology gap, extension gap and technology index were also computed which were found to be 9.80 q/ha, 1.95 q/ha and 36.00 percent, respectively.The parameters indicated that the FLDs can be a successful tool to enhance the production and productivity of chickpea crop when adopted.It also improves technological knowledge of farmers on improved variety of chickpea and its cultural practices.