Up-scaling Fodder Oats (Avena sativa L.) Production through Adoptive Research: Evidence from North-western Himalayas

Fodder deficit during lean period is one the major challenges animal husbandry has been facing in the hills. This impacts the animal health as well as the productivity. Newly developed high yielding varieties and related package of practice proved beneficial in increasing fodder yield through enhancement in productivity. Keeping this in view, 144 front-line demonstrations were conducted on three new varieties (SKO-20;SKO-91;SKO-96) of fodder oat and related crop management (Improved Practice) during the rabi seasons of 2017-18 to 2021-22 in farmers’ participatory mode. The study revealed that Improved practice gave an additional yield of 66.6 q ha-1, of green fodder and yield (432.4 q ha-1) was 18.4 % higher in than farmers’ practice (63.9 q ha-1). An extension gap of 66.6 q ha-1 and a technology gap of 67.6 q ha-1 were observed in the study. Net returns were Rs. 44359 ha-1 in farmers practice against Rs.52470 ha-1 in improved practice. An additional income of Rs. 7981 ha-1 and effective gain of Rs. 6293 ha-1 were recorded in improved practice.