Dissemination of Fenugreek varieties through frontline demonstrations approach for sustainable fenugreek production in Pali district of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Front line demonstrations (FLDs) on fenugreek were laid down at 321 farmers' field to demonstrate production
potential and economic benefits of improved production technologies comprising high yielding varieties namely RMt-
305, RMt-143, AFg-3, GM-1 and RMt-1 in Pali district of arid zone of Rajasthan state during Rabi seasons from 2013 to
2019 in irrigated farming situation. The improved production technologies recorded an additional yield ranging from
-1 -1
2.4 to 5.0 q ha with a mean of 3.7 q ha . The per cent increase yield under improved production technologies ranged
from 18.2 to 39.8 (RMt-305), 20.5 to 46.1 (RMt-143), 29.7 to 38.5 (AFg-3), 24.0 to 31.9 (GM-1) and 30.8 (RMt-1) in
-1 -1
respective years. The average extension gap, technology gap and technology index were 3.7 q ha , 4.4 q ha and 21.8
per cent, respectively in different high yielding varieties of fenugreek. The improved production technologies gave
higher benefit cost ratio ranging from 2.6 to 3.6 with a mean of 3.2 compared to local checks (2.5) being grown by
farmers under locality.The result of the findings indicated that the maximum number of the respondents had medium
level of knowledge and extent of adoption regarding recommended fenugreek production technology. The study
reported lack of suitable HYV as major constraints faced by beneficiaries ranked first. Followed by low technical
knowledge. The productivity of fenugreek per unit area could be increased by adopting feasible scientific and
sustainable management practices with a suitable variety. Considering the above facts, frontline demonstrations were
carried out in a systematic and scientific manner on farmer's field to show the potential of a new variety and convincing
farming community about performance of improved production management technologies of fenugreek for further
adoption.