Impact of Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLD) on Oilseeds Productivity and Profitability

The Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLD) programmes on oilseeds were carried out with respect to yield, extension gap, technological gap and economic returns in oilseed crops in Darrang district of Assam, India during 2016-17 and 2017-18 under NMOOP, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare, GoI. The fields were selected from different villages/clusters of the district. The observations on selected parameters of demonstration plots as well as control plots were recorded through experimental designs (‘Control-Treatment’) of social research. The results reflected that the average grain yield in demonstration plots of the selected oilseed crops namely; Rapeseed & Mustard, Sesamum and Groundnut was more compared to farmers practice. The crop sesamum recorded with the lowest extension gap (1.9q/ha), technology gap (0.90 q/ha) and technology index (11.25%) followed by rapeseed & mustard with 2.95q/ha, 0.31 q/ha and 3.42% and groundnut with 5.7q/ha, 15.6q/ha and 42.3% respectively. The highest additional income (Rs. 31307/ha) in demonstration plot over control was recorded in cultivation of groundnut followed by sesamum (Rs. 13134/ha) and rapeseed & mustard (Rs. 11019/ha). The results revealed that the use of improved varieties, scientific cultivation practices in cluster mode facilitates to boost the productivity and profitability scenario of oilseed crops in the district by minimizing the yield and technology gaps.