Cluster Frontline Demonstration: An Effective Technique to Transfer the Technology for Enhancing Productivity and Profitability of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) in Sidhi District of Madhya Pradesh

Linseed, along with mustard, is one of India's most important oilseed crops, and it helps small and marginal farmers in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh supplement their income. Agriculture's development is mostly dependent on the use of scientific technology while making the most efficient use of available resources. Cluster Front Line Demonstrations were held at various farmers' fields during the rabi seasons of three selected blocks in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district to boost agricultural produce production, productivity, profitability, and quality. During the years 2016–17 and 2018–19, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sidhi, conducted 150 cluster frontline Linseed demonstrations. Through meetings and talks with farmers, the important inputs in existing production technology were discovered. Farmers' methods that were in use at the time were used as a control for comparing to the recommended procedures. The average yield of recommended practices registered 94 percent higher than the farmer’s practice. The average technology gap, extension gap and technology index were observed 10.59 q /ha, 3.59 q/ha and 58.84 percent respectively. The highest grain yield (7.67 q/ha) was recorded in the year 2018-19, it was 101.3 per cent more than the farmer’s practice (3.81 q/ha). Average net profitability of worth Rs. 9037 /ha as compared with farmers practices (Rs. 1785/ha) were obtained an average benefit-cost ratio i.e. 1.68 and 1.19 were recorded in demonstrated plot and farmers practice respectively. The higher additional returns (Rs. 7252/ha) and effective gain (Rs. 3659/ha) obtained under demonstrations could be due to improved technology, timely of crop cultivation operations and scientific monitoring.