Yield gap analysis through front line demonstration of integrated nutrient management in cotton

Front line demonstration is an actual and suitable tool to determine recommended technologies among the farmers field. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, JAU, Amreli conducted 30 demonstrations on integrated nutrient management in cotton during 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 in the villages of Amreli district. The study found, the yield of cotton in IP under irrigated conditions ranges from 12.20 to 19.58 q/ha whereas in FP it ranges between 11.00 to 17.61 q/ha. The per cent increase in yield with IP over FP was recorded in the range of 10.9 to 16.6 %. The technology gap, extension gap and technological index were ranging from 5.4 to 12.8 q/ha, 1.2 to 2.5 and 21.7 to 51.2 per cent, respectively. The trend of technology gap reflected the farmer’s cooperation in carrying out integrated nutrient management demonstrations with encouraging results in subsequent years. The cost benefit ratio was 3.0 to 3.59 under INM demonstration, while it was 2.27 to 2.70 under control plots. By conducting front line demonstration of proven technologies, yield potential of cotton crop under INM could be enhanced to a great extent with increase in the income level of the farming community.