Performance of FLD on climate resilient practices in green gram in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan

Abstract

Climate variability and erratic rainfall patterns pose significant challenges to pulse production in semi-arid and rainfed ecosystems. This study was conducted from 2020 to 2024 to assess the effect of climate-resilient agricultural practices (CRPs) on the yield, economics, and extension performance of moongbean (Vigna radiata L.) under field conditions. Frontline demonstrations (FLDs) implementing improved management practices—such as the use of short-duration drought-tolerant varieties, integrated nutrient management and moisture conservation with supplemental irrigation were compared against the farmers’ traditional practices (FP) across multiple years and varying rainfall regimes. The results indicated a consistent enhancement in both yield and profitability under climate-resilient practices. The average yield across five years was 7.59 q ha⁻¹ under demonstrations compared to 6.42 q ha⁻¹ under FP, reflecting a mean yield advantage of 18.2%. Correspondingly, the gross return and net return averaged Rs. 62,264 ha⁻¹ and Rs. 37,836 ha⁻¹, respectively, which were markedly higher than Rs. 52,610 ha⁻¹ and Rs. 29,170 ha⁻¹ recorded under FP. Despite a slightly higher cost of cultivation, the benefit–cost (B:C) ratio was more favorable in the demonstration plots (2.46) than under FP (2.13), confirming the economic feasibility and resilience of CRPs. Extension analysis revealed notable improvements in technology dissemination and adoption. The technology gap ranged from 1.8 to 5.4 q ha⁻¹, while the extension gap varied between 1.04 and 1.60 q ha⁻¹ across years. The technology index declined substantially from 44.83% in 2023 to 15.00% in 2024, signifying enhanced field-level adoption and improved efficiency of the demonstrated technologies. Regression analysis between rainfall and yield revealed a weak positive correlation (0.049 for CRPs; 0.040 for FP), indicating that rainfall alone explained less than 5% of yield variability. Overall, the study concludes that adoption of climate-resilient technologies significantly enhances productivity, profitability, and technology adoption in moongbean cultivation under rainfed conditions. These practices not only stabilize yields but also improve resource-use efficiency, making them crucial for climate adaptation, income security, and sustainable pulse production in vulnerable agro-ecological regions.