Impact of Front Line Demonstrations on the pulses and oilseed productivity in South Tripura district

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, South Tripura undertaken number of front line demonstration (FLD) to impart knowledge on different improved scientific technologies of non-traditional oilseeds and pulses crops like groundnut, lentil, red gram (arhar) and green gram (moong) during Kharif and Rabi season of 2009-10. To demonstrate the technology, six villages of South Tripura district of Tripura state were selected after assessment of the village through PRA method. Awareness programme were conducted in all villages. Farmers were trained on scientific cultivation practices of groundnut, lentil, red gram (Arhar) and green gram (Moong). Besides imparting training, printed leaflets on oilseed and pulses were distributed among the farmers. Field day programme was also conducted in the farmer’s field during field demonstration. Altogether 8 hectare area of oilseed and 5 ha area of pulses was covered under this programme. Improved varieties of groundnut (GG-20, GG-7 and TG-37A), lentil (WBL-58), green gram (HUM-16) and red gram (UPAS-120) were distributed among the farmers. Under this programme, most of the farmers obtained better yield of pulses and oilseeds as compared to local varieties and traditional method of cultivation. The yield percentage increased from 21.43 to 40 per cent in case of pulses, and 30.43 to 65.45 per cent in oilseed crops. Farmers earned up to Rs.31,100/ha by selling oilseed and up to Rs. 29,250/ha by selling pulses crops. The programme conducted by KVK, South Tripura succeeded to build the skills of farmers for expansion of pulses and oilseeds crops through number of knowledge management practices like group meetings, awareness programmes, trainings, demonstrations, field day, etc. Farmers of the neighbouring villages also participated in this programme and expressed their willingness to take up such crops under scientific methods in the next crop season.