Impact of frontline demonstrations on line sowing of paddy variety Maheshwari through seed drill in tribal area of Gariyaband district of Chhattisgarh

Paddy is a predominant rainfed Kharif crop and plays a major role in augmenting the income of small and marginal farmers of Gariyaband district of Chhattisgarh. One of the major constraints of traditional paddy cultivation is low productivity due to non-adoption of recommended package of practices and improved varieties. To overcome this anomaly Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Gariyaband conducted frontline demonstrations in farmers’ fields of Mahonda village with high yielding variety IGKV R 1244 (Maheshwari) and applying scientific practices in cultivation including line sowing through seed drill. The paddy productivity and economic returns under improved technologies were calculated and compared with the prevailing farmers’ practice. Results revealed that Maheshwari variety under improved practices recorded higher yield of 44 and 46.8 q/ha during 2014–15 and 2015–16 and the recommended practice gave higher net returns of Rs 38150 and 44360 per ha and B: C ratio of 2.63 and 2.89 respectively as compared to farmers practice.