Improved Production, Economics and Adoption of Integrated Crop Management Practices in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) as influenced by Cluster Front Line Demonstrations in Northern Telangana Agroclimatic Zone, India

Despite being an indigenous oilseed crop with a long history of cultivation in India, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), is potentially underutilized due to gap in the outreach of technology which ultimately led to less production and productivity gradually over the years. Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLD) is a suitable vehicle for disseminating advanced agricultural technology to the farming population through demonstration in a cluster. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramagirikhilla, Peddapalli district has held front line Integrated Crop Management demonstrations in sesame during Rabi seasons from 2019-20 to 2021-22 in Northern Telangana agro-climatic region. A total of 129 demonstrations totaling 60 hectares were held on farmers’ fields under National Food Security Mission on Oil seeds programme. The results revealed that the demonstrated technology with an improved variety Swetha Til did better with an average growth of 17.49 % in yield over the farmers practice. The average values over three seasons for extension gap, technology gap and technology index were obtained was 1.22 quintals per hectare, 1.63 quintals per hectare and 16.30 %, respectively. As an overall effect, the demonstrated technology resulted in higher gross return (Rupees 47201 per hectare) and net return (Rupees 27937 per hectare) with a greater B: C ratio (2.47) when compared with farmers practice and the adoption rate of the demonstrated technology by the gap farmers after demonstration is 100%.