Impact of frontline demonstration on yield and economics of groundnut variety (Kadri Lepakshi) in East and Southeastern Coastal Plain Zone of India

Abstract

Climate change presents enormous difficulties to global food security, necessitating the use of robust and adaptive agricultural techniques. Frontline Demonstration (FLD) has emerged as a successful mechanism for demonstrating superior crop management practices in field conditions to bridge the gap between research and its application at the farm level. These are accepted improved practices for groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), an important oilseed and protein-rich legume that plays an important role in sustainable agriculture as it improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and can be grown in semi-arid regions. However, climate unpredictability is affecting groundnut production, such as variations in rainfall, temperature, and prolonged incidences of drought. Taking these into consideration a frontline demonstration (FLD) was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Puri on cultivation of “Kadiri Lepakshi” during rabi 2023-24 in 10 farmers field of village Gadasaput, Gadabadaput of Puri district. Cultivation of high yielding variety “Kadiri Lepakshi” was demonstrated over existing variety “Devi”. The results of FLD showed that higher productivity and return could be obtained by switching over to new high yielding variety and adoption of improved production technologies. From this frontline demonstration, it was recorded that variety Kadri Lepakshi recorded a higher yield of 21.6 q/ha which recorded 18.6% higher yield than existing variety Devi with a yield of 18.2q/ha. Kadiri Lepakshi also resulted in higher net return (₹ 63000/ha) and B:C (2.40) over existing variety Devi (₹ 48000/ha and 2.12, respectively).