Society of Extension Education GujaratPublished: Gujarat Journal of Extension Education (P-ISSN: 2322-0678 & E-ISSN: 3048-9946)
Society of Extension Education GujaratAbstract: Cotton is one of the most important commercial crops in India, contributing significantly to rural livelihoods and the textile industry. Improving cotton productivity through the adoption of scientific cultivation practices remains a major concern for agricultural development and extension systems. In recent years, extension agencies have promoted large-scale demonstrations to enhance farmers' awareness and adoption of improved cotton production technologies. Among these, the High-Density Planting System (HDPS) has gained attention for its potential to increase productivity and profitability. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of large-scale demonstrations of best practices on cotton productivity and profitability in Rajkot district of Gujarat. An ex-post facto research design was adopted during 2023-26 under the NFSM project. A total of 194 farmers comprising 97 beneficiary and 97 non-beneficiary cotton growers were selected for the study. Data were collected through personal interviews and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools to assess socioeconomic characteristics, knowledge levels, productivity, profitability, and constraints related to technology adoption. The findings revealed that beneficiaries exhibited significantly higher knowledge regarding HDPS and recommended cotton production technologies. The average gross income (?2.67 lakh/ha) and net profit (?1.69 lakh/ha) of beneficiary farmers were substantially higher than those of non-beneficiaries. Although the cost of cultivation was slightly higher among beneficiaries, the benefit-cost ratio was considerably greater (1.73) compared to non-beneficiaries (1.17), indicating superior economic returns. The results suggest that large-scale demonstrations effectively improve farmers' knowledge, facilitate adoption of improved practices, and increase productivity and profitability in cotton cultivation.
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