Impact of cluster frontline demonstrations on red gram in Davanagere district

In order to introduce suitable intercrop in maize, ICAR-Taralabalu Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Davanagere has taken up cluster frontline demonstrations on integrated crop management in red gram and introduced BRG-5 variety. The demonstrations were conducted in 2 clusters namely, Santebennur and Devarahalli during 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively covering 100 farmers (50/year). The results reveals that the increase in yield was found to be 27.13 per cent and 27.8 per cent during 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. The technology index was 20.66 per cent and 20.93 per cent. During 2018-19, FLD farmers sold 31.4q as seeds to 280 farmers. In 2019-20, 26 FLD farmers sold 26.8q as seeds to 169 farmers. The seed procurement agency sold 20.6 q. and 74.5q. during 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively, including through Raith Sampark Kendras. The data on vertical spread of technology reveals that 68 per cent and 52 per cent FLD farmers continued with BRG-5 variety during 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. Main reasons for non-adoption of BRG-5 red gram variety during 2019-20 are red gram is not profitable as maize (79.1%), lack of rainfall during June and July (45.83%), difficulty in use of weedicide maize (33.33%) and wilt problem (20.83%).