Impact assessment of front line demonstrations on Brown Sarson: Experience from temperate north-western Himalayan region of India

This study investigates an impact of Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) conducted by Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) on Brown Sarson through Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (Farm Science Centre’s) from Rabi 2005 to 2011 in the Anantnag and Kulgam districts of north-western temperate Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) India, in which 120 participant farmers and 120 non-participant farmers were selected through stratified random sampling method. Results reveal yield advantage up to 34.22% with incremental benefit: Cost ratio (ICBR) of 4.76 with increased knowledge level to the extent of 41.02% in case of participant farmers together with high (40.00%) to medium (39.17%) extent of adoption against low grain yield, low returns, low knowledge level and medium (54.17%) to low (36.67%) extent of adoption in case of non-participating farmers. Correlation suggests that education, farm size, farm power, adoption of improved practices. The results of regression analysis revealed that level of knowledge with some socio-personal, psychological and communication variables among respondent farmers have indeed helped in contributing to extent of adoption of improved technology amongst farming community. This can be seen as a positive indicator for formulating and disseminating, more extensive, technology specific and farmer centric FLD programme to improve overall knowledge and adoption amongst farmers in the region to boost oilseed production.