Technology Evaluation and Dissemination Among Farming Communities through Crop Cafeteria

Krishi Vigyan Kendra P. G College, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh has planned to evaluate and popularize the high yielding varieties of different crops with latest technologies through crop cafeteria among farming communities, rural youth and extension representatives. Four varieties of wheat i.e. CBW-38, K-307, PBW-502 and PBW-550; eighteen varieties of chickpea viz. GNG-663, CSJD-884, RSG-888, RSG-807, RSG-963, RSG-931, RSG-973, RSGK-6, RSG 896, RSG 945, RSG 991, RSG 902, RSG 895, CSJ 140, RSG 959, RSG 974, CSJK 21, and CSJ 313; five varieties of mustard i.e. Varuna, Urvashi, NDR-8501, KVKSM-1 and NRCHB-101; three varieties of field pea i.e. KPMR-144-1, KPMR-522, and KPMR400; three varieties of barley viz. K-409, K-508 and Narendra barley-3 were sown in crop cafeteria at the instructional farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ghazipur Uttar Pradesh during 2011–12 to 2016–17. Data were recorded on yield characters revealed that the average maximum yield of wheat was obtained from K-307 (49.98 q/ha) while minimum was in variety PBW-550 (46.06 q/ha). Wheat crop gave average productivity by 92.52, 66.17 and 72.12 per cent more over district, state and national yield, respectively. Chickpea variety RSG 959 gave average highest yield i.e. 24.59 q/ha while RSG 991 yielded lowest i.e. 20.31 q/ha. The demonstrated technology of chickpea in crop cafeteria gave 89.09, 155.09 and 138.21 per cent more over district, state and national yield, respectively. The average maximum yields were recorded in mustard variety NRCHB-101 (25.05 q/ha) followed by NDR-8501 (24.16 q/ha), Urvashi (23.54 q/ha), KVKSM-1 (22.35 q/ha) and T-59 (22.21 q/ha). The mustard crop gave 109.86, 111.75 and 107.51 per cent more yield over district, state and national yield, respectively. The 24.50 q/ha yield was recorded from field pea variety KPMR 522 and the lowest yield (29.29 q/ha) was received in variety KPMR 144-1. Field pea crop varieties showed 92.81, 96.26 and 133.56 per cent more yield in crop cafeteria over district, state and national yield, respectively. Barley cultivar K 508 gave higher productivity (37.58 q/ha) followed by K-409 (36.29 q/ha) and Narendra barley-3 (29.29 q/ha). The barley crop varieties produced 100.86, 42.68 and 72.68 per cent more yield over district, state and national yield, respectively. The variation in yield was due to varietal characteristics and changes in weather (erratic rainfall, high wind pressure) during cropping period. 1321 farmers including extension functionaries'footfalls were recorded during six years cropping period and they were aware about latest technologies. Demonstrations of high yielding varieties of different crops with latest production technologies in crop cafeteria were found more effective in changing attitude, skills and knowledge of farming communities and extension functionaries.