Frontline demonstrations on blast tolerant and short duration finger millet variety KMR 630 in Tumkur, Karnataka

Frontline demonstrations were conducted in farmers’ fields in Tumkur district of Karnataka during kharif 2019 to 2021 to demonstrate the improved production technologies in finger millet and create awareness among the farmers. The practices including cultivation of blast tolerant and short duration finger millet variety KMR 630, integrated nutrient management and integrated pest and disease management were demonstrated and compared with the existing farmers’ practice followed in finger millet cultivation. Results showed that demonstration of finger millet variety KMR 630 with integrated crop management practices recorded higher grain yield of 20.83 q/ha against 15.96 q/ha in farmers’ practice. Adoption of integrated crop management practices increased the grain yield of finger millet to the tune of 30.58 per cent compared to farmers’ practice. Farmers earned higher net income of Rs 33,746/ha through the demonstrations and Rs 19,345/ha with their own practice. Besides, farmers realized higher benefit-cost ratio (2.47) through the demonstrations compared to farmers’ practice (1.94). Thus the frontline demonstration of improved variety with crop management practices increased the grain yield and net income of the farmers growing finger millet under rainfed condition.