Front-line Demonstration: An Effective Communication Approach for Dissemination of Sustainable Rice Production Technology

During four consecutive Kharif seasons in the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, front-line demonstrations were carried out in farmer's fields by the College of Agriculture, Waraseoni (Balaghat), Madhya Pradesh in the agroclimatic zone of the Chhattisgarh plains to assess the performance of rice Hybrids / varieties JRH-5, JRH-19, JR-81 and JRB-1 (developed by Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University, Jabalpur) under irrigated ecosystem. Front-line demonstrations, or FLDs, were carried out using a scientific package of rice technology practices. The yield and economic data of the plots that were on display were examined, evaluated, and examined with farmer practices (MTU-1010). With only an average of Rs. 2625/ha as an additional input cost in demonstrations using enhanced production technologies in FLDs, the mean grain yield increased by 23.80% over current farmer practices.Extension gap (10.48 q/ha), Technology gap (10.26 q/h) and the technology index is 15.79%. It is concluded that wide gap existed in potential and demonstration yield in high yielding rice varieties due to technology and extension gap in Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh.By conductingfront line demonstrations of proven technologies, yield potential of rice can be increased to a greatextent. This will substantially increase the income as well as the livelihood of the farming community.