The study evaluates the cluster front line demonstrations (CFLDs) conducted under the national food security mission on sesame (RT-351) by 26 KVKs of Rajasthan state. Four thousand one (4001) partner farmers responded to the study during 2016-2020. The CFLDs were undertaken in a 172.00 ha area in 26 districts during these five years. Yield gaps and technology index were calculated under the study. The result shows an extension gap of 1.35 q ha-1 and a technology gap of 2.78 q ha-1. The technology index was found to be 35.11 per cent, while a yield advantage of 36.17 per cent was found in CFLDs. KVKs of Rajasthan state could add Rs. 1.45 crores to the income of partner farmers. The improved variety & better extension services significantly enhanced production and productivity. Participatory approaches in the sesame seed supply chain and institutional linkage were critical for scaling up sustainable technology and improving farmers’ access to quality and sufficiently improved seeds. More capsules per plant and resistance to stem & root rot attracted the farmers. Technical backstopping, supplying of seed, and seed exchange through farmer-to-farmer extension were crucial on a sustainable basis. Regular monitoring by experts and farmers’ feedback is vital for sustained production and productivity improvement of the sesame crop.

Background: Bajra (Pennisetum glaucum) is the main coarse cereal crop grown mainly in Africa and Asia. In India, it is mainly grown in Rajasthan and Haryana. It is cultivated in the dry and warm climatic regions. It is a Kharif crop that is grown at the start of the season’s first monsoon. Objective: This study aimed to explore the change in the cultivation of bajra in two states, Haryana and Rajasthan. Cultivation means how the crop is grown in any particular area and what steps are taken to improve the growth of crops. Methods: In this study, different aspects like area, productivity, and yield were studied from 2018 to 2020, and data were compiled for all these factors in both states with the help of various literature research. Results: This study demonstrated that the growth trends in the area under cultivation, productivity, and yield of bajra increased from 2018 to 2020 due to stability in yield, price (MRP), and insured marketing. All the results and data were obtained from different published sources in these two states. Conclusion: This review gives a brief account of the changes in the cultivation of bajra in two different states, Haryana and Rajasthan. The expansion of the area of bajra is due to the use of good quality seeds, the use of hybrids, and the adaption of good agricultural practices, and it is also the reason for an increase in production and yield.

The study evaluates the economics of super seeder technology over conventional techniques farmers adopt in wheat cultivation in Haryana state. Multi-stage random sampling was employed in selecting the blocks, villages, and respondents. The study was carried out in the Karnal and Kaithal districts of the Haryana state during 2021-22. A sample of 100 wheat-growing farmers was selected using the various methods of paddy straw management. The super seeder technology was the most economical approach for handling paddy straw without burning it before sowing. The grain yield was higher by 50.74q/ha in super seeder than the conventional method (48.72q/ha). Super seeder produced a better net return by Rs.18724.44/ha (Rs.7688.95/ha in conventional technique). The cost-benefit ratio in Karnal and Kaithal districts in super seeder technology were 2.91 and 2.93, respectively. In nut shell, the cost-benefit ratio was 2.91 in super seeder technology than the conventional method (2.64). The better net return of Rs. 18724.44/ha was obtained from super seeder than the conventional technique (Rs.7688.95 /ha). A significant cost saving of Rs.6886.00 was found in super seeder technology, water conservation, preparatory tillage, timely sowing, and environmental benefits, i.e., reduced burning of paddy residue, reducing air pollution. Krishi vigyan kendras/state agricultural universities/state government should facilitate best use of this machine through skilled training. Timely availability of machine can also increase the area under super seeder in the state which reduce the burning cases and enhance the timely sowing of wheat crop.

The present study was carried out with the objectives to work out costs and returns in cultivation of cluster bean, to study the economics of cluster bean processing units and to identify various constraints faced by farmers and processers in production and processing of cluster bean in Southern Haryana. The   study was based on primary data. A total of 80 farmers were interviewed to gather all the desired information. The per hectare cost of cluster bean cultivation was found to be ₹40241 and ₹44553 in Bhiwani and Mahendargarh district, respectively. On an average, the per hectare gross and net returns obtained from the cultivation of cluster bean in Bhiwani district were ₹49002 and ₹8758. The corresponding figures for Mahendargarh district were worked out to be ₹52732 and ₹8178, respectively. The B:C ratio for cluster bean cultivation was worked out to be 1.21 for Bhiwani & 1.18 for Mahendargarh district. On an average total cost of processing guar into guar gum was worked out to be ₹6408.78 per quintal of output. Cluster bean processing plants incurred a profit of ₹204 per quintal on average basis during the year 2020-21 with gross and net returns of ₹6484.42 lakh and ₹200.35 lakh, respectively. The B:C ratio was worked out to be 1.03 for processing units of cluster bean in Southern Haryana. The results of a survey conducted to learn about the problems faced by farmers in the production and by processors in the processing of cluster bean revealed that weeds, high labor costs, high plant protection chemical costs, disease, aphids in the crop, scarcity of labor, and a lack of quality seeds and improved varieties were the major constraints faced by farmers in the production of cluster bean in the study area. Huge fuel costs, huge losses during transportation from field to factory Power shortages, under-utilization of existing capacity, excessive sales taxes, and a lack of government price policies were the major obstacles that processors faced in the processing of cluster bean seeds in the study area.