Effective way of Transfer of Technology to Boost the Groundnut Yield Under Rainfed Condition Through Frontline Demonstration in Salem, Tamil Nadu

Groundnut is a major oilseed crop grown under rainfed condition in Salem district. The majority of the farmers could not able to get high yield. Even sometime severe yield loss and cent per cent failure of crop occurred in some areas due to occurrence of severe drought and poor awareness on drought management technologies. Considering the importance of groundnut and other constraints, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Salem facilitated front line demonstration (FLD ) funded by ICAR (TOT) New Delhi with performing improved technologies in different villages of Salem district during 1995-2007. 372 front line demonstrations were conducted in 90 hectares. Farmers were selected randomly and demonstration done in their field itself. Critical inputs were distributed to the farmers. In case of local check plots existing practices being used by farmers were followed. During the period under study, it was observed that the average yield of demonstration was significantly higher (1748kg/ha) than local check plots (1430kg/ha). However, fluctuations were observed mainly an account of variation in rainfall in terms of percentage yield improvement in demonstration was recorded from 14.7-29.5 % over local check. In field days, FLD farmers well explained the drought management practices followed for groundnut and experiences also shared among the farmers. Groundnut yield potential can be increased to a great extent by conducting effective front line demonstrations with proven technologies. The technologies suitable for the Tamil Nadu similar to Salem district of Tamil Nadu should be evolved and brought to the access of farmers transfer centres like KVKs.