Frontline demonstrations were carried out to study the soil test-based fertilizer application on yield, soil health and economics in rice during the kharif seasons of 2017, 2018 & 2019 in farmers’ fields of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The demonstrations conducted in ten locations revealed that application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium based on soil test values resulted in an average yield increase of 5.01 per cent over the farmer’s practice. Demonstration plots recorded an average B: C ratio of 2.9 against farmers’ practice of 2.4 and the technology index reduced from 3.84 to 1.53 per cent. The organic carbon content increased from 0.45 to 0.50 per cent due the application of farmyard manure based on soil test value. The soil test based fertilizer application resulted in higher yield, net returns, B:C ratio and organic carbon content and low technology index indicates the feasibility of technology to adopt at farmers’ level.

A survey was conducted to assess the impact of mobile applications developed by theKrishiVigyan Kendra Banavasi with 150 farmers in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh inthe year 2020. KVK Banavasi developed three mobile applications namely ANGRAU-ATARI CFLD, ANGRAU Pashu Poshan and Fertilizer Calculator for benefiting farmingcommunity. Majority (64.67%) of the respondents were found in medium usage of mobileapplications, in agriculture. Fertilizer Calculator mobile application was found highest usage(74.50%) among the farmers when compared with other two applications. ANGRAUATATRI CFLD application was used by an average of 46.83 per cent farmers forinformation on new improved varieties, 75 % for control measures of pest and diseasesand 29 per cent for market related information. ANGRAU Pashu Poshan application wasused by 75 per cent livestock farmers for sheep management, 56 per cent for cattlemanagement and 45 per cent for poultry related information. Fertilizer calculator applicationwas used by 80 per cent farmers for recommended dose of fertilizers and 10 per cent forsoil test based fertilizer application.

Back Ground: Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) is major crop in Andhra Pradesh being cultivated in 22.11 lakh ha average productivity of 3350Kg/ha Local BPT-5204 (samba mashuri) is high susceptibility to blast, sheath blight and gall midge. Since this is consumers’ preference both in the rural and urban markets, farmers are cultivating BPT-5204 though this variety is susceptibility to blast and BPH leads to high cost of cultivation .As an alternative to this NDLR-7 variety developed by Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Nandyal, ANGRAU NDLR-7 was tolerant to blast, BPH, sheath blight, leaf folders and gall midge. Methods: NDLR-7 was introduced by KVK, Banavasi through on farm trail during 2016-17 and this trial was continued for three years as an alternative to traditionally grown BPT-5204. Result: The data from the three years of on farm trail reveals that the cost of cultivation has drastically reduced from Rs. 66050/ha to 50,538/ha due to reduced use of pesticides. The yield in demonstration plot (NDLR-7) was 7437.5 Kg/ha compared to control (5812 Kg/ha).

The study was aimed to assess the adoption status of home practices and to identify the various factors affecting adoption and non-adoption of practices disseminated through rural awareness work experience programme. The study was conducted in four villages of Ludhiana district of Punjab state, where RAWE programme was conducted during the year 2013-14 to 2016-17. A total of 120 respondents constituted the sample of the study. Data were collected through a well- structured and pre tested interview schedule. Highest adoption status was achieved by the practices under ‘Food and Nutrition’ followed by practices under ‘Human Development’ discipline. Various factors affecting adoption of different practices as reported by the respondents were personal interest, saves resources and provides satisfaction. Major factors affecting non-adoption of practices were lack of interest, lack of resources, non-availability of raw material and inadequate skill retention. Majority of the respondents suggested that practices imparted under RAWE programme should be cost effective, for better adoption. Respondents also suggested that to increase adoption rate of home science practices, duration of RAWE should be increased, so that respondents can get sufficient time to learn new practices.

To promote improved chickpea varieties along with profitable crop management technologies, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Nandyal organized demonstrations on chickpea improved varieties along with crop package of practices in 210 tribal farmer’s fields (84 ha) under Tribal Sub Plan during 2018-2021 in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The technology interventions included improved varieties (Nandyal Gram 49 and Nandyal Gram 119), seed treatment with vitavax power (1.5 g/kg seed), basal application of zinc sulphate, erection of pheromone traps @ 10/ha, prophylactic spray of neem oil and use of need based plant protection chemicals. The average yield of demonstration field with improved desi variety Nandyal Gram 49 (14.36 q/ha) was 19 per cent higher than the existing farmers practice (12.05 q/ha) and the average yield of 13.16 q/ ha was recorded with improved kabuli variety Nandyal Gram 119 which resulted in 7.78 per cent yield increase over farmers practice (JG11/Vihar) (12.21 q/ha). These demonstrations resulted not only in higher yield, but the higher net returns and cost benefits indicated the worth of improved varieties and scope for further spread of other technological interventions in farmers’ holdings.