Impact of cluster front-line demonstration on soybean

This study evaluates the impact of Cluster Frontline Demonstrations on Oilseeds (CFLDs) in improving soybean productivity and farmer adoption of enhanced technologies in the Akola district, from 2019-20 to 2023-24. A total of 275 demonstrations were conducted using the high-yielding MAUS-158 soybean variety. The results showed a significant increase in soybean yield under CFLDs, averaging 1899.2 kg/ha compared to the local check's 1467 kg/ha, representing a 22.82% increase. The yield improvement ranged from 14.82% to 33.16% over the local check across the study period. The average technology gap was 925.8 kg/ha, while the extension gap averaged 352.2 kg/ha. The technology index averaged 32.77%, indicating the feasibility and adoption potential of the demonstrated technology, with a decreasing trend suggesting growing farmer motivation to adopt improved practices. Economically, CFLDs yielded higher mean gross returns (₹72,449/ha) and net returns (₹46,508.9/ha) with a favourable benefit-cost ratio of 1.8 compared to farmer’s traditional practices (1.23). These improvements were attributed to the adoption of improved MAUS-158 variety and timely, scientifically monitored cultivation practices. The study concludes that CFLDs effectively bridge the yield gap and enhance profitability, recommending their wider implementation under expert supervision for broader dissemination of improved soybean cultivation technologies and potential for on-farm seed multiplication.