Bridging Yield and Extension Gaps in Mustard through Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background:  Agricultural education and extension are not only vehicles for technology dissemination but also catalysts for socio-economic transformation, empowerment, and the overall wellbeing of farming communities. Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs), an initiative of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), have emerged as an effective extension strategy to address this gap. Conducted on farmers’ fields, CFLDs promote recently released high-yielding varieties along with improved crop management practices. Aim: The purpose of conducting Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) on mustard is to evaluate the effectiveness of improved production technologies in enhancing crop yield and farm profitability under farmers’ field conditions, ensuring wider visibility and adoption. Place and Duration of Study: A total of 100 demonstrations were conducted for two years in two clusters, Belikhol and Nagali, by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Solan, Himachal Pradesh, covering an area of 20 ha per year. Methodology: The demonstrations were conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-2025 to bridge yield and extension gaps, besides uplifting the socioeconomic status of farmer. High -yielding mustard variety Him Palam Gobhi Sarson-2, along with INM and IPM practices were demonstrated to the farmers. To quantify the impact of CFLDs, the technology gap, extension gap and technology index were computed. Results: The findings confirm that CFLDs play a pivotal role in enhancing mustard productivity and profitability, while also reducing the technology dissemination gap. CFLD plots produced higher seed yield and economic returns than farmer practice plots. During the first year (2023-2024), an increase in yield of 14.89-19.50 per cent was observed while in the second year the increase was 16.21 to 21.93 per cent. The technology gap varied from 1.62 to 2.60 q/ha, extension gap from 2.10 to 2.95 q/ha and technology index varied from 8.77 to 14.08% across both locations and years.  Farmers’ feedback shows high acceptability of components such as improved varieties, seed rate and balanced nutrient management. Conclusion: Results confirm that the demonstrated oilseed variety, along with recommended agronomic practices, significantly enhanced productivity and reduced yield gaps. However, efforts should be directed towards minimizing the technology and extension gap through improving extension outreach under farmers’ field conditions.