HAS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FRONT LINE DEMONSTRATION HAD A SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON THE ADOPTION RATE AND WIDESPREAD CULTIVATION OF TOMATO (VAR. SWARNA SAMPAD) IN THE NORTH EASTERN GHAT REGION OF ODISHA, INDIAS.K. Samantaray, B.P. Giri, P.K. Panda, S.K.Satapathy, P.J. Mishra, H.K. Sahoo and M.P. NayakAbstract The aim of this study was to determine the yield gap in tomato crops using FLDS. To achieve this, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ganjam-I conducted frontline demonstrations on tomato crops in different locations of Ganjam district. The demonstrations involved 10 farmers each year from 2019-20 to 2021-22 and aimed to improve tomato production potential through the active participation of farmers. The demonstration tested various technologies such as the use of hybrid (Swarna sampad) varieties, balanced fertilization based on soil testing reports, and integrated pest and disease management. Tomato is a significant vegetable crop in the Ganjam of Odisha, but its productivity is low due to the inadequate knowledge and partial adoption of recommended practices by tomato cultivators. The study collected data on the cost of cultivation, production, productivity, gross return, and net return, which were then analyzed. The results showed that the average highest yield in the demonstration plots was 605.80 q/ha, which was higher than the control plot yield of 505.30 q/ha, resulting in an additional yield of 100.50 q/ha and an average increase in tomato productivity of 19.88%. During the demonstration years, the extension gap and technology gap ranged from 101.10 to 113.0 and 44.20 to 69.60 q/ha, respectively, with a technology index of 9.40%. Furthermore, the demonstrated plots generated higher gross returns and net returns with a higher benefit-cost ratio when compared to farmersâ practices. The study also examined the impact of FLD on horizontal spread and found that it increased by 209.52% when appropriate practices and packages were followed. |