Impact of Frontline Demonstration on Indian Mustard through Improved Technology

Abstract

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is a major oilseed crop of Uttar Pradesh. It is also one of the important
oilseed crops of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. However, its productivity is very low in the district of eastern Uttar
Pradesh compared to other districts of Uttar Pradesh. The Directorate of Extension SHIATS, Allahabad has
carried out 21 frontline demonstrations on Indian mustard covering an area of 7 ha. of farmers field in 7
districts (Allahabad, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Mirzapur, Sonebhadra & Bhadohi) in 2015 & 2016
to exhibit latest production technologies and compared it with farmer’s practice. An attempt has also been
made to know the productivity of frontline demonstrations and the adoption of latest production technologies
by the 21 FLD farmers and 21 non-FLD farmers. FLD farmers and non FLD farmers were randomly selected
from FLD villages. The results were compared between FLD plots and control plots. The results revealed that
improved technologies of mustard enhanced yield from 14.32q/ha to 18.62 q/ha in frontline demonstrations.
The percentage of increase in yield ranges from 17.77 to 31.14. The extension gap and technology gap were
recorded ranging between 2.68-3.77 q/ha and 1.38-5.68 q/ha, respectively. The technology index ranged
from 6.90 % to 22.40 %. The results indicated that the FLD was effective in changing attitude, knowledge and
adoption of improved technologies of mustard and ultimately in obtaining sustain income.