Impact analysis of front line demonstrations on horsegram in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan (India) under rainfed condition

During the period from 2006 to 2011, 80 frontline demonstrations were conducted on the horsegram production technology to transfer the technologies among the farmers of Bhilwara district in semi-arid region of south Rajasthan with the objective to evaluate the economic feasibility of technology transfer and adoption. Adoption of improved technology had significant impact on seed yield vis-a-vis yield gaps in horsegram. Improved technology enhanced horsegram yield from 294 kg/ha (farmer’s practice) to 537 kg/ha (improved practice), an overall increase of 40.83%. There was a wide yield variation between potential and demonstration yields of horsegram mainly due to technology and extension gaps.  Extension yield gaps varied to the extent of 96 to 180 kg/ ha whereas technology yield gaps varied from 288 to 413 kg/ ha.  Technology index varied from 34.91 to 50.06 %, which indicate for further scope of improvement in productivity of horsegram in the region. The marginal difference between benefit-cost ratio of improved practice and farmer’s practice proves of adoption of improved technologies by the farmers. However, to further bridge up the gap between technology developed and technology transferred, there is a need to strengthen the extension network besides emphasis on specific local recommendations.