Effect of Technological Intervention on Yield of Summer Pearl Millet

Front line demonstrations (FLDs) were conducted by pearl millet Research Station, JAU, Jamnagar on 313 farmers’ field in 125 hectares of different 98 villages of Gujarat state during summer season of 2015 to 2019. Prevailing farm practices were treated as control for comparison with recommended package i.e. improved variety (GHB 558, GHB 538, GHB 732), seed rate 4 kg/ha, timely sowing (15 Feb to 15 March), line sowing with spacing of 60 cm (R-R) and 10-12 cm (P-P), balanced use of fertilizers (NPK @120:60:0 kg/ha, thinning 15 days after sowing, weed management (pre emergence spray of Atrazin @ 0.5 kg/ha and one hand weeding), proper critical stage apply 8-10 irrigation, two foliar spray of profenophos 0.05 % at 20 and 40 days after germination to control shoot fly and stem borer pests infesting pearl millet, timely harvesting and threshing. The cumulative effect of technological intervention over five years, revealed average grain yield 4362 kg/ha and dry fodder yield 7365 kg/ha which is 6.17% and 12.76% higher over the farmers’ practices. The economics and cost benefit ratio of both farmers’ and improved practices was worked out. On an average net profit was obtained 6837 /ha due to adoption of improved package of practices. The average cost benefit ratio was 2.23 under improved demonstration practices, while it was 2.43 under farmers’ practices. By conducting the Front line demonstrations of proven technologies, yield potential and net income from pearl millet cultivation can be enhanced to a great extent with increase in the income level of the farming community.