Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstrations in Diversification of Chickpea with Safflower Variety ISF-764 in Rainfed Black Soils of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh

The productivity of chickpea has declined considerably during the last three years in rainfed black soils of western part of Kurnool district due to the aberrations in the rainfall pattern, high cost of cultivation, pest & disease incidence and wild deer problem. To overcome these production constraints Cluster Frontline Demonstrations in safflower played major role with introduction of new safflower variety ISF-764.Cluster Frontline Demonstrations were conducted in safflower in 30ha area in 2017-18 and 40 ha in 2018-19 by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Banavasi. ISF-764 (T3 demonstration) performed better even in dry spell conditions compared to chickpea .Cost of cultivation in both ISF -764 (demonstration) and PBNS-12 (T2check) was low (18,300 Rs/ha) compared to chick pea (35,500 Rs/ha) variety JG-11(T3farmers Practice). Chickpea equivalent yields of safflower was 1339 and 803 (kg/ha) in demonstration and check and 720 kg/ha in farmers practice with 86 and 11.6 % improvement in yield. Extension gap for ISF 764 and PBNS-12 were 619 & 83 kg/ha respectively. The technology index was lowest in ISF-764 (21.8) as compared toPBNS-12 (57.12) and JG -11 (58 .8) which indicates the highest feasibility of the demonstrated technology. The net returns (37,950 Rs/ha) and benefit cost ratio (3.07) were highest in ISF -764. Hence Safflower variety, ISF 764 is highly suitable for rainfed black soils of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.