Groundnut is an important oilseed crop grown in kharif /summer in Tumakuru district. The farmers of Pavagada taluk have been growing this crop for many years with available local variety (TMV-2), which are ungraded, having low vigour, viability and susceptible to many of the pests & diseases. In addition to this, most of the farmers are not following the recommended package of practices which reflects on the yield & quality of groundnut. TMV-2 variety is very much susceptible for leaf spot and leaf miner and suffers yield loss up to 33%.
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hirehalli, Tumakuru introduced newly developed variety K-6, released from Agricultural Research Station, Kadri, Andhra Pradesh, during the year 2015-16 in the village (Karikyathanahalli) of Pavagada taluk under NMOOP programme. Front line demonstration along with local check were laid out with improved variety (K-6) by following full package of practices. This demonstration plot showed better plant population with good vigour, more number of pegs and pods per plant, drastic reduction in leaf spot and leaf miner incidence, compared to control plot. The plant population was 93% in demonstration plot with good vigour, while it was 86% with low vigour in the local check. There was a clear 21.70 % increase in yield over the check that is normally grown by the farmers in this area. The beneficiaries are happy, because they could raise their income by Rs. 24180/ha by the improved package of practice.
Over the years, farmers have expressed great satisfaction on the performance of this variety with respect to traits such as higher yield, higher shelling percentage, good quality fodder, high oil content which fetches higher price (Rs.5500/q).
| Details of technology | Yield (q/ha) | % increase in yield | Gross Cost In Rs. | Gross Returns In Rs. | Net Returns In Rs. | B:C ratio |
| Check | 8.84 | 21.70 | 22,984 | 39,757 | 16,773 | 1.73 |
| Demo | 10.70 | 23,970 | 48,150 | 24,180 | 2.00 |
One of our FLD Farmers Mr.Thipperangappa S/o Eramuddapa, Karikyathanahalli village, Nidagallu hobli, Pavgada taluk, has grown one acre of groundnut K-6 variety and got 5.3 qtls yield in the year 2016-17. He was very much impressed about the crop stand even during the drought hit vulnerable situation. He used the same seeds during the summer-2017 and produced 24 qtls seeds. He had given these seeds to 24 farmers during Kharif-2018. Likewise he is producing the seeds every year and supplying to the farmers. So far, he supplied the seeds to 89 farmers during the year 2019-20.
Now, this variety is spreading like wild fire and farmers are requesting KSDA to supply the seeds through Raiatha Samparka Kendras. It has already replaced 22.50 % of the existing TMV-2 variety.
