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Book of Extended summaries ISDA

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International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &<br />

Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad<br />

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC, U.S.A, and<br />

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).<br />

Ewbank, R., Kasindei, A., Kimaro, F. and Slaa, S. 2007. Farmer Participatory Research in<br />

Northern Tanzania. FARM-Africa Working Paper No. 11.<br />

T6-20P-1118<br />

Performance <strong>of</strong> Frontline Demonstrations in Yield Enhancement <strong>of</strong> Cotton<br />

under Arid Conditions<br />

Arvind Singh Tetarwal*<br />

ICAR-CAZRI, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pali-Marwar-306401 (Rajasthan)<br />

*astetarwal@gmail.com<br />

Cotton, Gossypium sp. (Family: Malvaceae) is an important commercial fibre crop grown<br />

under diverse agro-climatic conditions. India ranks first in the world cotton production with 34<br />

million bales from about 12 million hectares. India's average cotton production is 469 kg per<br />

hectare, compared to world average 778 kg ha -1 . Gujarat is a major cotton producing state. In<br />

arid Kutch, Gujarat, the main limiting constraints in cotton production includes low soil<br />

fertility, shortage and poor-quality irrigation water, high prevalence <strong>of</strong> insect-pests and<br />

soilborne diseases etc. The cultivation <strong>of</strong> susceptible hybrids, late planting, inadequate fertiliser<br />

use, and insecticide spraying were some <strong>of</strong> the major abiotic factors for insect-pest outbreaks<br />

(Kranthi, 2015). It was observed that majority <strong>of</strong> farmers did not use improved practices like<br />

quality seed, suitable plant protection measures, balanced fertilization resulting in a wide<br />

extension gap between demonstrated technology and farmers' technique. To bridge that gap,<br />

KVK Bhuj demonstrated improved cotton cultivation technology in various farmers' fields as<br />

FLDs, which focuses on increasing productivity by providing vital inputs as well as improved<br />

packages <strong>of</strong> practices.<br />

Methodology<br />

The current study was conducted by the ICAR-CAZRI, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bhuj-Kutch<br />

(Gujarat) during the Kharif, 2018-19 to 2020-21 at farmer’s fields. A total <strong>of</strong> 60 frontline<br />

demonstrations were held throughout a 24-hectare area at different villages <strong>of</strong> the Kutch<br />

district. The soils in the research area were mostly saline and alkaline in nature, with a sandyto-sandy<br />

loam texture and poor in essential micro nutrients and organic carbon. The yield data<br />

was obtained from FLD plots along with local farming practises widely used by farmers in this<br />

region, for comparative analysis. Under demonstration plots, we have provided critical inputs<br />

such as bio-pesticide Beauveria bassiana, traps (pheromone and yellow sticky traps) to manage<br />

the pink bollworm and sucking insects, magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) and technical advice on<br />

integrated crop management (ICM). On the other hand, farmers were allowed to continue with<br />

Institutional and policy innovations for accelerated and enhanced impacts<br />

844 | Page

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