Fundamentals of Extension Education (1+1)

National Demonstration (ND)

• National Demonstration is a programme based on the concept of increasing the productivity per unit area and time by using proven agricultural technology. ICAR’s National demonstration programme on major food crops was launched in 1964.
• The basic purpose of programme was to show the genetic production potentiality of new technology of major crops per unit of land and per unit of time and to encourage the farmers to adopt and popularise the technologies for accelerating production and improved cultivation practices.

Objective
The main objective of this programmes are
1. To demonstrate convincingly to farmers the production potentialities of a unit area of the land by using high yielding varieties of crops and adopting a multiple cropping programme with full package of practices such as balanced use of fertilisers and effective water management techniques.
2. To demonstrate use of implement for different operations and use of soil testing laboratories for use of balanced fertiliser doses.
3. To fully exploit these demonstrations for the purpose of training farmers in improved cultivation practices and to use them as recognised and effective audio visual aids for the flow of latest research technology and results to farmers.
4. To provide research workers a first hand knowledge of the problems faced by farmers in growing high yielding varieties and to identify the constraints limiting the crop production.
5. To minimise the time lag between the research generated and its application in field.
The performance of high yielding varieties of cereals was very promising but its full production potential was not demonstrated on a large scale to the farmers. Higher yields obtained on the research station did not impress the farmers. Who preferred to see the performance of these varieties on their own farms. Moreover, the scientists were looking for scientific feedback from field which would ultimately help them further refine the technology.
• At this juncture in 1965-66 the ministry of Agriculture, Government of India initiated a nationwide programme in which demonstrations are connected on farmer’s fields. This was the beginning of National Demonstration project (NDP). Demonstrations under this project were carried out mainly by the scientists of the SAU’s and ICAR institutes in neighbouring villages. The scientists were required to demonstrate the potentiality of new seeds and package of practice on an area varying from 0.4 ha to 1.0 ha on farmers field single crop demonstration are carried out for crops like wheat, paddy, sorghum, pearl millet and maize.

Procedure to conduct national demonstration
A demonstration has to be conducted on 0.4 ha land for full 1 year. Yield target of 9 tonns of food grains for two crop per year per ha had been fixed. If achieved the difference in the yield levels show the gap between how much is produced and how much can be produced and how much can be produced by the farmers. A sum of Rs. 500 per year for three crops (Multiple demonstrations) was given for meeting the cost of critical inputs. For the first crop the amount was Rs. 200 and for subsequent crops Rs. 150 each has been embarked.
• The NDP was implemented at district level by a team of 4 subject matter specialists. Who were entrusted with the responsibilities to conduct the demonstration on farmers field. They also organise field days at the time when important field operations were performed. Thus a large number of farmers got educated about new technology demonstrated on farmers field.
• In all 25 demonstrations per season were laid on the farmers field in each district. Very intensive cropping system techniques of soil and water management including use of machinery and plant protection were demonstrated under National Demonstration Project (NDP). Thus these demonstration served as pace settlers which are the first demonstrations and are to be emulated by local extension workers and farmers.  

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