Impact of Cluster front-line Demonstrations on Productivity and Economics of Groundnut in Southern Transition Agro Climatic Zone (Zone-7) of Hassan District, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Groundnut is a important commercial legume cum oilseed crop growing in Hassan district of Karnataka and there is a notable yield gaps found between the farmers and demonstration plots due to non adoption of improved agronomic technological practices and use of local varieties. Integrated crop management (ICM) practices in groundnut under cluster front-line demonstration were conducted by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hassan during Summer seasons of 2018-19 to 2022with active participation of 250 groundnut growers with a objective of practicing improved agronomic practices over a 100 ha area in 5 consecutive years.The highest groundnut pod yield was achieved in demonstration plots with an mean of  1842.8kg/ha as compared to farmers practices with an mean of 1254.80kg/ha; which was 22.24 per cent higher yield as compared to farmers practices. The demonstration plots average mean of extension gap, technology gap and technology index were calculated as 281.20 kg/ha, 564 kg/ha, 26.75 per cent, respectively. The higher mean net returns of 62592.60/ha with B:C ratio of 2.35 was exhibited in improved agronomic practices demonstrated plot as compared to local practices (Rs.43897.60/ha). So it’s concluded that improved agronomic technological practices have high potential to increase the groundnut productivity through cluster front-line demonstration.