Exploring Livelihood Security through Enhancement of Soybean Production on Farmer's Field of Dhar District of M.P.

Frontline demonstration (FLD) programme is an effective technology transfer tool for better technology adoption that bridges the yield gaps. Keeping in view of an effective extension approach of FLDs for dissemination of soybean technology were studied for 3 years during Kharif 2012-13 to 2014-15 by the KVK, Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. An impact evaluation was based on the comparison of beneficiary and non-beneficiary respondents with reference to increase in knowledge level, extent of adoption of improved soybean production technologies, the yield gap analysis and economics were also measured. It was found that the level of knowledge of beneficiary farmers regarding different improved soybean production technologies was higher than non-beneficiary ranging from 2.00 MPS in field preparation to 30.00 MPS in seed inoculation with cultures. The overall significant difference was found in knowledge level of beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers. The adoption level of beneficiary farmers observed 58 per cent and only 28 per cent have accepted but not adopted the technology due to some situational constraints. It is also revealing that there was a wide yield gap between potential and demonstration yields due to technology and extension yield gaps. Extension yield gaps varied to the extent of 4.10 to 9.42q ha^-1 while technology gap ranged from 3.98 to 7.81q ha^-1. Improved technologies gave higher mean net return of Rs. 46802/- ha-1 with a benefit cost ratio 3.34 as compared to farmers practice (Rs. 27066/- ha^-1 and benefit cost ratio 2.59). On an average technology index was observed 24.03 per cent, which shows good performance of technical interventions.