Impact assessment of frontline demonstrations on productivity and economic returns of drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) in Arid Kachchh, Gujarat

Abstract

Drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is a multipurpose horticultural crop valued for its edible pods and nutritional potential. Frontline demonstrations (FLDs) are an important extension approach for assessing improved technologies under farmers’ field conditions. ICAR–CAZRI, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kukma, Bhuj, conducted demonstrations during 2016–17 and 2017–18 in villages of Bhuj and Bhachau talukas, Kachchh district, Gujarat, to compare the performance and economics of the improved cultivar Bhagya (KDM-1) with farmers’ local practice. The manuscript reports average pod yields of 197.80 q ha⁻¹ under demonstrations and 158.88 q ha⁻¹ under farmers’ practice, a reported increase of 24.50%. The average extension gap, technology gap and technology index were 3,892 kg ha⁻¹, 5,220 kg ha⁻¹ and 20.88%, respectively. The reported additional net return was ₹57,630 ha⁻¹, and the benefit: cost ratio under the improved practice was 4.82, compared with 3.92 under farmers’ practice. Associated training programmes, farmer–scientist interactions and field days reached more than 550 farmers. These results indicate promising productivity and economic outcomes under the conditions observed; however, adoption rates and changes in farmers’ knowledge were not quantified in the available study data