Abstract

Cluster frontline demonstrations on greengram and chickpea were conducted at farmers’ field in Mahendergarh district of Haryana state from 2016 to 2018. Improved practices of crop production of the two crops were demonstrated in the demonstration plots. Performance of crops in terms of yield and returns was compared with crops grown with farmers’ practices. Adoption of improved practices in demonstrations increased yield of greengram and chickpea crops by 22.3 and 19.8%, respectively, over farmers’ practices. Average yield of greengram and chickpea in three years’ demonstrations was 7.03 and 19.0 q/ha, respectively. Average gross and net returns in demonstration plots of greengram crop were Rs. 36187 and Rs.17652/ha, respectively, which were higher than those obtained in local check plots. Similarly, average gross and net returns in demonstration plots of chickpea crop were Rs. 88063 and Rs. 60018/ha, respectively, whereas in local check plots these were Rs.73920 and Rs. 47332/ha. The benefit: cost ratio in demonstration plots of greengram and chickpea crops came out to be 1.94 and 3.11, respectively, which were higher than those recorded in local check plots.