‘Participatory-mode’ adaptive research was conducted in wheat in north-western Himalayas (NWH) during 2008–2014 to develop an improved chemical weed management (ICWM) technology. First of all, two years ‘on-farm experimentation’ was performed in a randomized block design at 10 locations in NWH using seven treatments (Clodinafop @ 60 g a.i./ha (Clod); Clod followed by 2,4-D (Na-salt) @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (Clod-fb-D); Isoproturon 75 WP @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (Iso); Iso + D; Sulfosulfuron 75% WG @ 25 g a.i./ha + Metsulfuron 5% WG @ 2 g a.i./ha (Sulf + Met); weed-free-check; and un-weeded-check). In this study, the post-emergence application of Sulf + Met reported the lowest weed-index and NPK depletion by weeds with higher weed control efficiency (86.4%), weed control index (81.1%) and herbicide efficiency index (2.62) over other herbicides. Sulf + Met exhibited significantly higher wheat productivity (3.57 t/ha), protein yield, net-returns and water-productivity, which was followed by Iso + D and Clod-fb-D, all of which remained statistically at par with each other. An impact assessment of intensive technology-transfer programme (2008–2014) revealed a higher technology adoption rate (71–98%) of ICWM leading to higher wheat productivity (~22%) and net income gains (2.8–26.4%) in NWH. Overall, Sulf + Met proved highly effective against mixed weed flora in wheat to boost wheat productivity, profitability, quality and water productivity in addition to a higher technology adoption rate and NIGs to transform rural livelihoods in NWH.

Yield gaps in adoption of Pusa Basmati 1509 under irrigated farming situations were assessed in district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh during Kharif seasons from 2014–15 to 2016–17. A total of 56 Front Line Demonstrations on Pusa Basmati-1509 were conducted in 26 villages of four paddy growing development blocks of the district. Improved technological package of Pusa Basmati 1509 was compared with that of farmers’ practice and results revealed that with the adoption of improved production technology on Pusa Basmati 1509, the grain yield was invariably higher (4002 to 4325 kg ha^{– 1}) than the farmers’ plot yields (3550 to 3800 kg ha^–1) during all consecutive years. The magnitude of yield increase in FLD's over farmer's plot yields was in the range of 12.67 to 13.81%. The technological gap ranged from 675 to 998 kg ha⁻¹, extension gap from 452 to 525 kg ha^–1 and technology index varied between 13.50 to 19.96% in different years under study. On an average, the net return under demonstrated technology was 18.33% higher over the farmer's practice. Bridging the yield gaps by deploying more efficient research, extension services, ensuring timely agricultural input supplies and creating improved/milling facilities is suggested to intensify the Basmati acreage in the region.

Paddy is an important kharif crop of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Initially, to assess the suitability in the micro climatic conditions of the district, on farm trials (OFTs) on scented paddy cultivar HPR 2612 (Palam Basmati 1) were conducted by KVK Mandi during kharif 2013 and 2014 at 12 locations with three treatments under transplanted conditions. The results revealed that HPR 2612 (Palam Basmati 1) was significantly superior over the Kasturi and control which provided 42.04% increased yield against control. Further, during kharif 2015 to 2017, this cultivar was up-scaled though front line demonstrations where this cultivar was found significantly superior over the farmers’ practice and provided increased yield of 15.20 to 18.81%. The technology gap, extension gap and technology index ranged from 680 to 795 kg ha⁻¹, 570 to 668 kg ha⁻¹and 13.60 to 15.90% respectively in different years. On an average, the demonstrated technology provided higher returns (Rs. 39326 ha⁻¹) over farmers’ practice. Bridging yield gaps by deploying more efficient research and extension services is suggested to intensify the acreage of this cultivar in the region.