Yield gap analysis of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) through front line demonstration on farmer's fields

The present study was carried out at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Umaria to know the yield gap between improved package and practices (IP) under Front Line Demonstration (FLD) and farmer’s practice (FP) of chickpea crop under limited irrigation conditions. The study found, the yield of chickpea in IP under limited irrigated conditions ranges from 11.20 to 12.53 q/ha whereas in FP it ranges between 8.20 to 9.30 q/ha. The per cent increase in yield with IP over FP was recorded in the range of 34.7 to 36.5. The extension gap and technological index were ranging between 3.0-3.23 q/ha and 30.3-37.7 per cent, respectively. The trend of technology gap reflected the farmer’s cooperation in carrying out demonstrations with encouraging results in subsequent years. The cost benefit ratio was 2.25 to 2.42 under demonstration, while it was 1.88 to 1.97 under FP plots. By conducting front line demonstration of proven technologies, yield potential of chickpea crop could be enhanced to a great extent with increase in the income level of the farming community.