* sendhil.eco@pondiuni.ac.in

Seeds of improved crop varieties are pivotal in modern agriculture since they serve as a key channel for technology (variety) delivery. Despite concerted efforts to foster improved wheat varieties in India, the seed and varietal replacement rates remain low. Frontline demonstrations (FLDs) have been advocated and practiced to alter this trend.

It is a popular extension method wherein the improved varieties (treatment) are demonstrated at the farmers’ field and compared with the farmers’ choice of variety (control). FLD aims to harness yield potential and allows the farmers to learn the ‘package of practices’ associated with the new technology through experts, which is echoed in the profitability and welfare of the farmers.

In this context, we evaluated the socio-economic impact of the recently released improved wheat varieties using an experimental approach. The seeds of the newly released five wheat varieties (DBW 187, DBW 222, DBW 327, DBW 332, and HI 1605) were offered under the scheduled caste sub-plan program (SCSP) to the SC farmers and demonstrated at their farm during 2022-23 crop season. A total of 539 farmers were selected randomly across five wheat-growing regions.

Yield gain analysis using the survey data from 26 collaborating centers indicated a significant difference ranging from 3.08% to 24.04% between treatment (improved wheat variety) and control (farmers’ choice of variety). Yield gain was higher in Rajasthan, followed by Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. Among the demonstrated varieties, ‘Directorate Bread Wheat 187’ (short as DBW 187), demonstrated in Sriganganagar (Rajasthan), registered the highest yield gain (24.23%). In contrast, the wheat variety ‘DBW 327’ recorded the highest yield (7000 kg/ha) in the Sangrur district of Punjab. Gross margin analysis corroborated the positive effect of demonstrations with an incremental profit estimated at ₹ 8310 (~100US$) per hectare, leading to increased welfare.

Further, a profit function using the regression approach has been fitted to assess the impact of the demonstration using wheat-growing regions as a binary variable along with other farm-specific socio-economic factors. Regression analysis indicated that the profit levels are determined by the wheat grain price and the region wherein the variety is demonstrated.

Escalating input cost was a major constraint in adopting the improved wheat variety. Our experimental approach confirms the positive socio-economic impact of adopting technology in the farmers’ field. Such demonstrations must continue to improve the socio-economic status, especially in socially backward communities, and cover regions where the adoption rate is substantially low.