Assessment of mustard productivity through Cluster Frontline Demonstration (CFLD) in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh

The study was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Banda, from 2021-22 to 2024-25, encompassing 150 hectares of landwith 359 demonstrations across 19 villages in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. The objective was to assess the impactand yield discrepancies between enhanced practices under Cluster Frontline Demonstration (CFLD) and the existingpractices used by farmers for mustard crops. Yield characteristics of both the demonstrations and the farmers’ practiceswere documented, and their yield gap, technology gap, extension gap, and technology index were analyzed. Theimproved practices involved high-yielding varieties and integrated crop management strategies (sulphur @ 25 kg ha-1 +line sowing + thinning + seed treatment with Thiram 75% WP @ 2 g kg-1 seed + application of neem oil @ 2-4 ml L-1 ofwater). The findings indicated that the average yield of 15.55 q ha-1 was achieved in the demonstration plots, which was25.4 percent greater than the yield from farmers’ practices (12.40 q ha-1). Additionally, the technology gap, extension gap,and technology index were measured at 9.89 ha-1, 3.15 q ha-1, and 38.83 percent, respectively. The average gross returnin the demonstration plot was Rs 78319 ha-1 compared to Rs 62467 ha-1 in the farmers’ practices. Similarly, the average netreturn in the demonstration plot was Rs 55319 ha-1, while it was Rs 41300 ha-1 in the farmers’ plots. The benefit-cost ratiowas calculated to be 3.41 in the demonstration plot, which is higher than the 2.96 observed under farmers’ practices. Thisclearly demonstrates the production and economic efficiency of the demonstrated mustard technology in the study area.Overall, Giriraj (DRMRIJ31) exhibited greater vegetative vigor, reproductive efficiency, superior seed quality, and increasedoil content. The technology gap and extension gap were attributed to the lack of adoption of high-yielding varieties,timely sowing, appropriate seed rates, seed treatments, fertilizer management, and plant protection strategies. The studyhighlighted that the CFLD significantly contributed to the dissemination of technologies to farmers’ fields, therebyincreasing crop yields and farmer incomes in the area