Transforming Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) Cultivation through Improved Production Technologies: Evidence from Cluster Frontline Demonstrations

Abstract

Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) were conducted during seven consecutive Rabi seasons from 2016–17 to 2022–23 to assess the effectiveness of improved chickpea production technologies under farmers’ field conditions. A total of 344 demonstrations covering 137.2 ha were conducted using improved chickpea varieties PBG-7 and PBG-8 along with an integrated package of recommended production practices. The technological-gap analysis revealed complete gaps in varietal replacement, sowing method, sowing time, seed treatment, nutritional quality improvement, insect-pest management and disease management, while land preparation showed no gap. The demonstrated technology resulted in consistently higher grain yield than farmers’ prevailing practices. The mean grain yield under demonstrations was 18.63 q/ha compared with 14.06 q/ha under farmers’ practice, representing a mean yield increase of 32.5% and an extension gap of 4.58 q/ha. The technology gap decreased from 3.15 q/ha in 2016–17 to 1.50 q/ha in 2022–23, while the technology index declined from 15.0 to 7.06%, indicating improved feasibility and field realization of the demonstrated technology over time. Economic analysis also demonstrated the superiority of the improved technology, with a pooled benefit:cost ratio of 4.54 compared with 3.60 under farmers’ practice. The integrated technology substantially reduced Fusarium wilt incidence, with pooled disease incidence of 14.63% and 11.49% at the seedling and maturity stages, respectively, compared with 18.45% and 14.59% under farmers’ practice. Total wilting was reduced from 33.03% to 26.08%. Similarly, Helicoverpa armigera pod infestation was reduced from 20.47% under farmers’ practice to 11.02% under demonstrations, representing a 46.2% reduction. The findings demonstrate that CFLDs based on improved varieties and integrated crop-management practices can effectively narrow technology and extension gaps, enhance chickpea productivity and profitability, and reduce major pest and disease constraints under farmers’ field conditions. Strengthening dissemination and adoption of the demonstrated technology may therefore contribute substantially to sustainable improvement in chickpea production.