Performance of Cluster Front line Demonstrations on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

India is amongst the largest producer and consumer of vegetable oils in the World. Presently, annual oilseeds are grown on an area of 24.51 million ha with 31.46 million tonnes production and productivity of 1284 kg/ha. Despite being one of the largest cultivator of oilseeds in the world, India imports about 60% of its requirements owing to the life style changes in dietary pattern and increasing per capita income. The growth in the domestic production of oilseeds has not been able to keep pace with the growth in the demand of the country. To achieve the targeted production, the Government of India has initiated Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on Oilseeds under Notional Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP). Accordingly, the ICAR-Division of Agricultural Extension planned to organize Cluster FLDs on Oilseeds during Rabi 2015-16 through Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the country and subsequently supported conduct of CFLDs on oilseeds under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) during 2018-19. ICAR Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Hyderabad has implemented about 2780 cluster frontline demonstrations on groundnut in 1308 ha area through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Andhra Pradesh during 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018- 19 to showcase the production potential of newly released varieties with improved package of practices like seed treatment, sowing methods, use of micro nutrients, bio-fertilizers, resource conservation, weed management, pest and disease management practices under irrigated and rainfed conditions on farmer's fields in cluster approach. Demonstrations with improved groundnut variety Dharani (TCGS-1043) resulted in an average yield of 20.30 q/ha against check yield of 17.50q/ha with 15.95 per cent increase in yield. The net returns recorded were Rs. 57075 under demonstration compared to Rs. 41009 in check with benefit cost ratio of 2.29 and 1.86. The results indicated that the improved variety of groundnut along with recommended package of practices and regular monitoring by scientists under cluster frontline demonstration programme increased the yields and net returns of the farmers and can bridge the yield gap by 13.75 per cent in Andhra Pradesh state.