Influence of Front-Line Demonstrations on Yield, Yield Gap and Economics of Field Pea under Hill Region of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Yachuli, Lower Subansiri district, gave a front-line field pea demonstration in 06 villages across two blocks with 44 farmers during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. FLD on the VL Matar 42 variety of field pea was carried out over the course of two years in a 15 ha area using the recommended improved practices. Additionally, a control plot with farmer practices was maintained. The yield in the farmers' plot (1110 kg ha-1) and demonstration plot (1510 kg ha-1) in the year 2020-21 was higher than in the year 2019-20. In the years 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively, the demonstration plots' mean yield exceeded that of the farmers' plot by 35.23 and 36.03 percent.  The VL Matar 42 variety of field pea had a mean yield of 1465 kg ha-1, which was lower than the potential yield of 1868 kg ha-1. The yield gap of 403 kg ha-1 indicates that there is a technology gap. Interestingly, the average extension yield gap was lower (385 kg ha-1) during the study period. The technology index varied from 19.16 to 23.98 percent, showing the feasibility of the evolved technology at the farmer's fields. Cultivating field pea using improved technologies resulted in an average higher net return of Rs. 59,050 ha-1 compared to Rs 34,500 ha-1 from local farming practices. The benefit cost ratio of field pea was higher (2.16) when using improved technologies compared to (1.83) when using farmers' practices.