Impact of Front Line Demonstration on the Yield of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Chilli is one of the important commercial crops which play a major role in supplementing the income to small and marginal farmers of Mokokchung district. However, the major constraints of traditional chilli cultivation are low productivity due to use of inferior seeds and non-adoption of recommended package of practices. To solve these problems, front line demonstrations were conducted at farming situations with participation of farmers. The cultivation practices in these FLDs (i.e. use of improved cultivars, proper nursery raising, balanced fertilizer application etc.) increased the yield by 14.93 per cent, on average as compared to the farmers practice (7.7 q/ha). The highest extension gap was 1.35 q/ha while the technology index, which is inversely correlated to the feasibility of the improved technology in the farmers' fields was 27.6 per cent. The adoption of improved technology under FLDs resulted in higher gross returns (Rs.54300/ha), net returns (Rs.29200/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (1:2.16) as compared to farmers' practice.