Increasing Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Production through Frontline Demonstrations in Irrigated Regions of Central Punjab, India

Abstract

Aims: Frontline demonstrations plots are vital tools used by the government agricultural extension agents of India in bridging the gaps between research and extension for increase crop productivity. The study aimed at minimizing the extension-technology gaps for increasing the productivity of chickpea crop in India. Study Design: Demonstrative design. Methodology: Total 121 demonstrations plots were constructed over an area of 30 ha for a period of three years - 2017-2019. Results: The result showed that average grain yield in the demonstration plot increased by 21.07% over the control fields. The mean technology gap and extension gap were 1.30 and 3.26 q ha-1, respectively with 6.51% technology index value. The average benefit cost ratio for the demonstration plots was 3.55, compared to the control plot, which was 2.95. Conclusion: It is concluded that the frontline demonstrations plots have a great potential to increase chickpea productivity in India. The demonstration techniques used can be adopted in diversifying crop production with improper irrigation facilities in order to increase food security in India.