Front Line Demonstrations

Front Line Demonstrations-(Oil Seeds and Pulses)

The Front line demonstrations on oilseed crops (toria, sarson) and pulses (lentil) are conducted on farmers field every year during Rabi season. Under FLDs, latest components are demonstrated i.e. latest released varieties, fertilizers and micronutrients, biofungicides for respective crop. Agriculture implements to reduce drudgery of women and technologies to reduce cost of production etc. are also introduced.


Front Line Demonstrations (Cereals)

Front Line Demonstration is one of important mandate of KVK through which KVK demonstrated the important technology to the farmers. FLD is focused on major commodities of the district and the technologies available are used to solve the problems. Under FLD programme major cereals, oilseeds, pulses, cash crops, horticulture crops are covered. The problems of the particular farming situation are studied and available technologies from the parent SAU or NARS is being demonstrated so that farmers could get the maximum returns. Major focus is to reduce the chemical pesticides and fertilizers so that cost of production can also be reduced. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is the concepts commonly followed in different crops. Through FLDs, new varieties are also disseminated among the farmers. Similarly new concepts like foliar fertigation, fertilizer application based on plant nutrient diagnosis system, use of different kinds of traps and lures to control the pests. Use of biopesticides and biofertilizers, use of vermicompost and vermiwash, different pruning technologies etc. are some of the important technologies given to farmers.

KVK gives emphasis on improving productivity of oilseeds and pulses. KVK introduced mustard and lentil rabi crop during the year 2003 in the operational area. Use of rhizobium, foliar nutrient management, use of potash to increase the yield, seed production and harvesting at proper time were some of the interventions along with demonstrations of the new varieties have helped to adopt mustard as a major income source during rabi. The varieties of mustard like Pant pili sarson 1 and lentil like Pusa Masur 5 have shown significant performance in increasing yield over traditional varieties. The farmers are adopting the technological options like use of biofertilizers, foliar feeding of nutrients, micronutrients and water management. Major focus is given only on IPM as there is yield loss up to 20 to 30% due to pests. The techniques like use of pheromone traps, seed treatment with trichoderma, use of mixed crops, use of botanical extracts, bio-agents have been adopted by the farmers. In paddy, FLD was conducted mainly for demonstration of high yielding varieties and IPM for pest and disease management.

Sugarcane is also important crop in the district for which from the year 2004-05, KVK has started to conduct demonstrations in sugarcane on large scale. Total 45 demonstrations were conducted on 90 ha area. The sugarcane growers have mainly adopted integrated pest and nutrients management practices. The average increase in yield is 30.43 per cent. Sucking pest and reddening of the leaves are some of the major problems which are solved through these programmes that have shown an increase in yield by 30 to 35 per cent. Similarly, planting distance and plant geometry were developed through the OFTs which are most suitable for intercultivation as well as increasing the yield of sugarcane.

Front line demonstrations on paddy and wheat are conducted every year in kharif and rabi seasons. The purpose of demonstrations is to show the production potential of the varieties and improved package of practices to the farmers on farmer’s field. The demonstrations also help in assessing the production constraints & the performance of the technologies in the socio-economic conditions of the farmers.