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Technology Assessment, Refinement and Transfer
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is a major project of the Council
for technology assessment, refinement and transfer. At present,
there are 500 KVKs in State Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institutes,
NGOs, State Governments and other institutions.
KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA
The major activities of KVK are enumerated here.
On-farm Trials
A total of 1,318 technologies were taken up for on-farm trials
by the KVKs in order to evaluate and assess their impact on
location-specific basis in different farming systems including
varietal/feed evaluation (562), nutrient feed management (293),
cropping system (97), resource conservation (35), weed management
(62) and insect/disease management (269).
Performance of zero-till seed-cum-fertilizer drill
(ZTSD): Zero-tillage trials were conducted by 16 KVKs (7 of
Haryana and 9 of Punjab) to make the farmers aware of the use
of zero-till drill for sowing of wheat. The wheat sown by zerotillage
gave more yield by 6.7% in Haryana and 4.1% in Punjab
than conventional method of sowing
Leaf Colour Chart (LCC) based nitrogen management
in paddy in Haryana: In Faridabad district, paddy is
transplanted with a basal dose of 20 kg urea/acre. On-farm trials
were conducted on LCC based nitrogen management in paddy (cv
HKR 126) during kharif 2005. The application of nitrogen based
on LCC with recommended plant population gave the highest
• KVKs conducted on-farm trials on 1,318 technologies to
identify the location specificity under different farming
systems.
• ZTSD on rice-wheat system not only increased yield but
also lower the cost of land preparation.
• Puddling in paddy with soil pulverizing roller saved 90 cm
of water per hectare with an increase in yield of 2.4% over
conventional method of puddling.
• Adoption of IPM gave 32% increase in yield over control
with an average yield of 2.05 tonnes/ha in pigeonpea.
On-farm trials by KVKs
Crops Varietal/feed Nutrient/feed Cropping Resource Weed Insect/disease Total
evaluation management system conservation* management management
Cereals 230 75 34 11 30 57 437
Oilseeds 62 32 20 4 29 147
Pulses 52 9 10 8 5 28 112
Commercial crops 28 16 8 1 0 33 86
Vegetables, fruits and flowers 135 85 25 15 13 102 375
Animal Science 55 76 0 0 10 20 161
Total 562 293 97 35 62 269 1,318
*Resource conservation technologies include zero-tillage, bed planting and LCC based nitrogen management
Sowing of wheat by zero-tillage at KVK, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh
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yield of 5.7 tonnes/ha with an improvement in yield of 2.2% over
application of recommended dose of nitrogenous fertilizer. In
Kaithal district, the application of nitrogen based on leaf colour
chart basis with recommended plant population gave the highest
yield of 6.35 tonnes/ha, with an improvement in yield of 2.1%
over application of recommended dose of nitrogen fertilizer.
Pe r formanc e of soi l -pulve r izing rol l e r and
conventional method of puddling on paddy: Puddling
in paddy (cv PR 114) with soil pulverizing roller saved 90 cm of
water per hectare with an increase in yield of 2.4% over conventional
method of puddling in Patiala district of Punjab.
Effect of pruning and mulching on yield and
quality in Santa Rosa plum: On-farm trial was conducted
on yield and quality in Santa Rosa plum in Solan district of
Himachal Pradesh. The highest fruit yield (21.68 tonnes/ha) and
maximum fruit weight (47.50 g) were recorded with 25–30%
thinning of shoots along with 1/3–1/2 heading back of shoots. The
treatment also recorded the highest Benefit : Cost ratio of 3.95.
Zero-tillage in wheat in Haryana and Punjab
District/KVK Year No. of farmers Area (ha) Average yield (tonnes/ha) % Increase over
Zero- Conconventional
tillage ventional
tillage
tillage
HARYANA
Kurukshetra 1998–05 271 132.6 4.78 4.44 7.7
Kaithal 1997–05 123 121.3 4.39 4.12 6.6
Panipat 1999–05 153 70.5 4.80 4.57 5.0
Faridabad 2001–05 92 132.0 4.28 4.01 6.7
Rohtak 2002–03 18 56.0 4.72 4.67 1.1
Sonipat 2002–04 16 22.0 4.67 4.51 3.5
Gurgaon 2004–05 5 2.0 4.77 4.68 1.9
Total/Average 678 536.4 4.56 4.31 5.8
PUNJAB
Bathinda 2002–05 56 111.4 4.52 4.39 3.0
Faridkot 2002–05 55 87.0 4.53 4.35 4.1
Ferozepur 2000–03 41 108.4 4.54 4.51 0.7
Gurdaspur 2000–03 52 47.7 4.60 4.58 0.4
Kapurthala 1999–04 57 179.7 4.99 4.83 3.3
Nawanshahar 2001–03 38 59.6 4.58 4.45 2.9
Patiala 1999–05 92 299.8 4.61 4.56 1.1
Sangrur 2002–05 201 154.8 5.27 5.17 1.9
Hoshiarpur 2003–04 10 20.0 5.05 5.03 0.4
Total/Average 602 1,068.4 4.77 4.67 2.1
Effect of pruning and mulching on yield and quality in Santa Rosa Plum
Treatments Fruit size (mm) Fruit Yield (kg/) Yield (tonnes TSS (%) Acidity (%) Increase in
Length Breadth
weight (g) tree /ha) yield over
FP (%)
FP 36.4 33.2 34.4 48.5 13.43 11.10 0.60 -
T1 39.3 38.2 38.3 58.8 16.28 11.70 0.65 21.80
T2 40.2 39.4 44.2 67.0 18.55 11.50 0.52 38.12
T3 43.3 41.8 47.5 78.0 21.689 12.30 0.40 61.49
Sale Rate: Rs 8/kg
FP: No orchard management practices; T1: 25–30% thinning of shoots; T2: T1 + 1/3–½ heading back of shoots and T3: T2+ grass mulch
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Performance of groundnut varieties: KVK in Kaimur
district, Bihar conducted an on-farm trial with 5 varieties of
groundnut. Among the varieties, TG 22 gave the highest average
yield of 2.2 tonnes/ha followed by Birsa Bold (1.76 tonnes/ha).
Among the short duration varieties (105 to 112 days duration),
ICGS 1 gave higher yield of 1.48 tonnes/ha followed by 1.37
tonnes/ha and 1.14 tonnes/ha from ICGS 37 and BR 12 respectively.
Performance of turmeric varieties: The KVK in Bankura
district of West Bengal conducted an on-farm trial for identification
of suitable turmeric variety for red lateritic soil conditions. Out of
8 varieties, TCP 2 gave the highest yield of 92.5 tonnes/ha,
followed by TCP 11 (87 tonnes/ha) and Kasturi (79.2 tonnes/ha).
for next 3 months/ha) was suggested. The KVK in Basti district
conducted an on-farm trial with 3 treatments. Using proper ratio
of Indian and exotic fingerlings alone could increase the fish
yield by 28%. This treatment in combination with use of
supplementary feed gave 52% increase in yield.
In treatment T1 (farmers’ practice), the net income was Rs
39,000/ha by investing Rs 24,000/ha. In T2, with an initial
investment of Rs 23,000/ha, the net income was Rs 57,000/ha.
Similarly by investing Rs 29,000/ha in T3, the net income was Rs
75,000/ha.
Increasing milk yield through mineral supplement
for buffalo: The KVK in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, conducted a trial
with 3 treatments. The use of mineral supplement (Ostovet 100
ml/day) gave an average milk yield of 9.2 litres/day, which is 15%
more than without the supplement.
Performance of turmeric varieties in West
Bengal
Variety Yield (tonnes/ha)
R.Sonia 50.2
Nagaland local 59.0
RH 5 55.0
Pct 13 59.0
TCP 11 87.0
Kasturi 79.2
TCP 2 92.5
TCP 1 72.0
Management of Helicoverpa and wilt in Chickpea: The
KVK in Basti district, Uttar Pradesh conducted an on-farm trial to
identify suitable control measures for Helicoverpa and wilt disease
in chickpea through IPM. Application of IPM module (HYV PUSA
256 + Trichoderma 4g/kg seed + spraying of 5% neem kernel extract
+ NPV 250 L.E./ha) gave 42% increase in yield.
Management of population density and feed
regulations in fishponds: To increase the fish production
through polyculture, optimum density of fingerlings and
supplementary feeding (rice bran + mustard cake 1 : 1 @5 kg/
day for first 3 months, 8 kg/day for next 3 months and 12 kg/day
Feed management for buffaloes in Uttar Pradesh
Treatments Milk production Increase
(litres/day) in yield (%)
T1–Farmers’ practice without 8.0 -
mineral mixture
T2–Mineral supplement 8.6 6.97
(untimely 40g/day)
T3–Mineral supplement 9.2 15
(ostovet 100 ml/day)
Nutrient management in wheat: The KVK in Satara,
Maharashtra, conducted an on-farm trial on nutrient management
to improve the low yield of wheat due to poor tillering and grain
filling. The application of 120 kg N, 60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O per
ha along with spray grade of N,P and K at the time of tillering
(19 : 19 : 19), flowering (0 : 52 : 34) and grain filling stage (0 : 50)
Nutrient management in wheat with spray
grade fertilizer
Treatments Yield Increase in
(tonnes/ha) yield (%)
T1–Imbalance use of fertilizers 2.87
T2–Application of 120 kg N, 3.24 12.94
60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O/ha
T3–Application of 120 kg N, 3.45 20.10
60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O/ha
plus spray grade 19:19:19 at
the time of tillering, 00:52:34 at
the timeof flowering and 0:0:50
NPK at the time of grain filling
stage
Management of Helicoverpa and wilt in
chickpea in Uttar Pradesh
Treatments Yield Increase in
(tonnes/ha) yield (%)
T1– Use of variety Radhey 1.22 -
T2– HYV Pusa 256 + Trichoderma 1.48 21
4 g/kg seed
T3– T2 + Spraying of 5% neem 1.61 32
kernel extract
T4– T3 + NPV 250 L.E./ha 1.73 42
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increased the yield by 20% over the farmers practice (2.87 tonnes/ha).
Nutrient management in wheat based on soil test
results in Pune, Maharashtra: The KVK in Pune district of
Maharashtra conducted an on-farm trial with 3 treatments. The
highest yield of 3.77 tonnes/ha was obtained with the application
of 120 : 60 : 60 NPK kg/ha as per soil testing, which was about
23% more than yield under the farmers’ practice (2.79 tonnes/ha).
gave 113% more yield than farmers’ practice.
Nutrient management of onion in Maharashtra: To
improve the bulb formation and thereby the yield of onion
through proper nutrient management, the KVK in Ahmedagar
district, Maharashtra, conducted an on-farm trial with 3 treatments.
It was found that application of 150 : 50 : 70 NPK kg/ha along
with foliar application of P and K and vermiwash gave yield of
23.5 tonnes/ha which was 24% more than the yield under farmer’s
practice.
Nut r i ent management of pomegranat e in
Maharashtra: To reduce the flower drop for obtaining higher
yield of pomegranate, the KVK in Pune, Maharashtra, conducted
an on-farm trial with 3 treatments including Planofix spray and
balanced fertilizer application. Application of 625 : 250 :250 g
NPK per plant and 2 sprays of Planofix @ 20 ppm gave 18% more
yield than farmers practice.
Management of white wooly aphid in sugarcane:
The KVK in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra conducted a trial with 3
treatments to identify suitable control measures for white wooly
aphids attack in sugarcane. The practice of collecting and burning
infested leaves, seed treatment with Malathion, paired row planting,
release of bioagents, application of verticilium @ 2 kg/acre
followed by neem oil spray @ 2 litre/acre gave yield of 8.79
tonnes/ha compared to that of pesticide spray alone (9.89 tonnes/
ha) with 50% reduction in cost of plant protection.
Integrated pest management for pod borer in
pigeonpea:To test the efficacy of integrated pest management
on control of pod borer in pigeonpea, on-farm trial was conducted
by the KVK in Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh, with 3 treatments
including farmers practice. Adoption of IPM gave 32% increase in
yield over control with an average yield of 2.05 tonnes/ha.
Nutrient management of wheat in Pune,
Maharashtra
Treatments Yield Increase in
(tonnes/ha) yield (%)
T1–Farmers’ Practice: Urea, SSP 2.79
and MOP @10:26:26.
T2–Recommended dose of fertilizers
120:60:60 NPK Kg/ha as per 3.42 22.27
soil test results
T3–Recommended dose of fertilizers 3.77 34.79
and use of spray grade multinutrient
fertilizer @ 9% N, 9%
P2O5,9% K2O, 2% Fe, 2% Mn,
2% Zn—5 litres/acre at 60,
90 days after sowing
Nutrient management of niger in Orissa: An on-farm
trial was conducted by the KVK in Keonjhar district, Orissa, to
increase the yield of niger through proper nutrient management
with 4 treatments. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer
(40 : 40 : 0 kg NPK per ha) gave 133% more yield than farmers
practice (no fertilizer). Application of 50% recommended dose of
fertilizer along with application of Azatobactor and PSB also
Management of white wooly aphid attack in sugarcane
Treatments Yield (tonnes/ha)
T1–Farmers practice: Spraying Methyl demeton @2ml/litre 9.89
T2–Cutting and burning of infested leaves, seed treatment with Malathion, bio-agents-Conobathara/
Chrysoperla and need based Chemical sprays (Methyl demeton/dimethoate @2ml/litre) 9.49
T3–Cutting and burning of infested leaves, seed treatment with Malathion, paired row planting, release of 8.79
bio-agents Conobathara/Chrysoperla, application of Verticilium @2kg/acre followed by Neem oil spray
@2 litre/acre
Integrated pest management for pod borer in pigeonpea
Treatments Yield (tonnes/ha) Increase in yield (%)
T1– Farmers’ practice (one and two spray of endosulfan) 1.55
T2– Polythin 40 + Chloropyriphos 1.88 21.3
T3– IPM (SDP + Seed treatment + Nimbicidine + Pheromone trap +bird perches) 2.05 32.2
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Integrated wilt management in chickpea: The KVK in
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, conducted an on-farm trial on chickpea
with 3 treatments. Adoption of IPM including the use of resistant
variety and seed treatment with Trichoderma viridae gave 49%
more yield as compared to farmers practice and the wilt incidence
was 20% in locally adopted variety (U 21).
Integrated wilt management in chickpea
Treatments Wilt Yield Increase in
incidence (%) (tonnes/ha) yield (%)
T1– Farmers’ practice – use of seeds of available variety and no seed treatment 20.5 1.28 -
T2– Use of farmers seeds + seed treatment with Trichoderma viridae 6.2 1.52 18.75
T3– Use of seed of resistant variety of chickpea (JG 130) +seed treatment with 3.6 1.91 49.2
Trichoderma viridae
Frontline Demonstrations
During the year, 35,064 demonstrations were organized on
various aspects of crop production and fishery covering an area of
11,938.8 ha.
Oilseeds: During the year, 15,787 demonstrations were
conducted covering 5,918.4 ha on 13 oilseed crops. The increase
Frontline demonstrations on oilseeds
Crop No. of farmers Area (ha) Yield (tonnes/ha) Increase (%)
Demonstration Local
Castor 678 325.5 1.47 1.13 39.9
Gobi Sarson 511 113.3 1.15 0.86 42.6
Groundnut (kharif) 2,887 1,039.6 1.82 1.31 43.0
Groundnut (rabi) 905 418.0 2.14 1.55 37.9
Linseed 453 134.6 0.94 0.65 48.5
Mustard 3,992 1,374.1 1.31 0.95 43.1
Niger 598 168.0 0.38 0.24 66.0
Raya 559 254.0 1.44 1.06 39.3
Safflower 231 106.6 0.92 0.74 24.4
Sesame 1,463 616.0 0.65 0.84 46.3
Soybean 1,572 617.3 1.60 1.18 39.0
Sunflower 963 466.6 1.45 1.13 31.9
Toria 975 284.9 0.95 0.67 52.0
Total/Wt.Average 15,787 5,918.4 1.38 1.05 31.4
Frontline demonstration on GCH 6 variety of castor at KVK, Jamnagar, Gujarat Frontline demonstration on mustard variety Kaushal at KVK, Barmer, Rajasthan
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in yield varied from 24.4 in safflower to 66% in niger and on an
average oilseed crops under demonstration gave 31.4% more yield
than farmers practice.
Pulses: During the year, 7,282 demonstrations were conducted
covering 2,335.6 ha. The increase in yield varied from 21.9 in
rajmash to 52.1% in moth bean and on an average pulse crops
under demonstration gave 42.7% more yield than farmers practice.
Cotton: During the year, 1,122 demonstrations covering an
area of 618.9 ha were conducted. A total of 33 high yielding and
pest-tolerant varieties and hybrids, INM and IPM technologies
were demonstrated to show the production potentials on the
farmer’s fields. Training programmes (164) covering 5,544 farmers
and 31 training programmes for 725 extension functionaries
were organized besides 49 field days with 5,571 participants. In
addition, 173 other extension activities (1,813 participants) were
undertaken, besides, radio/TV talk and newspaper coverage.
Other crops: During the year, 10,873 demonstrations were
conducted covering 3,684.8 ha on cereals, horticultural and
commercial crops, and 1,891 different enterprises like dairy, sheep
and goat, poultry, piggery, rabbitry, apiculture and mushroom
production.
Frontline demonstrations on pulses
Crop No. of farmers Area (ha) Yield (tonnes/ha) Increase (%)
Demonstration Local
Bengalgram 1,911 643.8 1.36 0.97 42.9
Blackgram 1,263 378.3 0.82 0.60 40.6
Field Pea 429 81.8 2.09 1.65 32.8
Greengram 1,111 416.3 0.80 0.55 47.8
Lentil 629 159.9 1.19 0.85 42.9
Moth bean 69 31.2 0.77 0.52 50.3
Rajmash 244 41.2 1.06 0.91 21.9
Red gram 1,626 583.1 1.33 0.89 52.1
Total/Wt.Average 7,282 2,335.6 1.17 0.82 42.7
Frontline demonstration on gladiolus at KVK, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh
• KVKs organized 35,064 demonstrations on various aspects
of crop production and fishery covering an area of 11,938.8
ha.
• Yield increased in oilseeds, pulses, cotton, cereals,
horticultural and commercial crops and different enterprises
through frontline demonstrations. Number of livestock also
increased.
Frontline demonstrations on other crops and
enterprises
Crop/Enterprise No of Area
demonstrations (ha)
Cereals 6,657 2,559.9
Millets 20 10.0
Cash crops 884 444.6
Fodder crops 671 142.5
Fruit crops 76 16.9
Vegetable crops 1,764 316.5
Plantation crops 30 12.0
Spices and condiments 125 23.7
Flowers and ornamental crops 139 13.2
Medicinal and aromatic plants 83 30.6
Fishery 78 114.9
Total 10,527 3,684.8
Units (No)
Dairy 15 20
Sheep and goat 58 370
Poultry 183 1,260
Piggery 10 6
Rabbi try 17 12
Apiculture 13 13
Mushroom units 50 210
Total 346 1,891
Grand Total 10,873
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Training Programme
Farmers’ training: A total of 25,969 training programmes
were organized benefiting 0.68 million farmers and farmwomen
in crop production, livestock production and management, group
dynamics, use of improved tools and implements, agroforestry,
fisheries, biotechnology, horticulture, plant protection, soil fertility
management, home science and others.
Training programmes for farmers and farmwomen
Areas of training No. of courses No. of participants
Male Female Total
Crop production 6,650 139,952 40,085 180,037
Horticulture 4,060 84,753 22,956 107,709
Group dynamics 1,097 23,420 7,839 31,259
Agricultural engineering 1,177 25,350 6,213 31,563
Home science 3,914 9,132 79,083 88,215
Livestock production/management 2,739 47,435 22,967 70,402
Plant protection 3,866 88,304 16,399 104,703
Fishery 410 7,994 1,614 9,608
Seed production 106 2,999 295 3,294
Apiculture 41 561 274 835
Mushroom production 130 1,303 1,997 3,300
Soil fertility management 1,062 22,509 7,050 29,559
Agroforestry 354 6,381 1,236 7,617
Others 363 8,201 3,913 12,114
Total 25,969 468,294 211,921 680,215
Training for rural youth
Areas of training No. of courses No. of participants
Male Female Total
Agricultural engineering 387 5,511 801 6,312
Agricultural extension 282 5,773 2,008 7,781
Agroforestry 212 1,501 359 1,860
Apiculture 77 1,559 462 2,021
Crop production 1,150 18,642 4,058 22,700
Fishery 172 2,847 879 3,726
Home science 1,587 2,898 29,518 32,416
Horticulture 1,350 19,396 7,003 26,399
Livestock production/management 1,076 13,605 5,796 19,401
Mushroom production 136 1,607 1,555 3,162
Plant protection 974 14,239 3,198 17,437
Seed production 35 618 17 635
Soil fertility management 195 3,588 1,232 4,820
Others 610 6,761 7,508 14,269
Total 8,243 98,545 64,394 162,939
• KVKs organized 25,969 training programmes for farmers,
8, 243 skill-oriented training programmes for rural youth
and 3,751 training programmes for in-service personnel.
Out of these 1,584 training programmes were sponsored
by various organizations.
Training course for farmers on proper use and maintenance of farm machinery
at KVK, Bhatinda, Punjab
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Training for rural youth: The training programmes for
the rural youth were organized on use of farm power and
machinery, group mobilization, agroforestry, biotechnology, crop
production, fishery, horticulture, hybrid seed production, livestock
production and management, cultivation of medicinal plants,
plant protection, post harvest technology, soil fertility management,
home science and other income generating activities. A total of
8,243 skill-training programmes were organized for 0.16 million
rural youth.
Training for in-service extension personnel: A total of
3,751 training programmes were conducted covering 84,925
participants.
Sponsored training programmes: Out of a total 37,963
training programmes (9.28 lakh participants) conducted by the
KVKs for the farmers and farm women, rural youth and inservice
Sponsored training programmes
Areas of training No. of courses No. of participants
Male Female Total
Crop production 515 21,908 6,676 28,584
Horticulture 200 8,672 1,367 10,039
Livestock production/management 191 5,717 3,952 9,669
Home science 254 2,676 10,351 13,027
Agricultural engineering 24 785 66 851
Plant protection 138 5,689 1,949 7,638
Fisheries 10 625 225 850
Agricultural extension 100 4,423 1,591 6,014
Agroforestry 3 120 0 120
Soil fertility management 44 1,226 151 1,377
Rural crafts 26 545 50 595
Apiary 1 20 14 34
Sericulture 1 14 7 21
Vermicompost 1 15 0 15
Others 76 4,177 677 4,854
Total 1,584 56,612 27,076 83,688
Training for in-service extension personnel
Areas of training No. of courses No. of participants
Male Female Total
Crop production 867 18,920 2,292 21,212
Horticulture 786 10,473 1,877 12,350
Agricultural extension 368 7,029 1,559 8,588
Agricultural engineering 202 3,857 896 4,753
Home science 345 1,720 7,698 9,418
Livestock production/management 269 5,258 1,144 6,402
Plant protection 538 11,624 1,760 13,384
Fishery 37 491 84 575
Seed production 17 620 77 697
Soil fertility management 147 3,424 449 3,873
Agroforestry 46 979 152 1,131
Others 129 1,810 732 2,542
Total 3,751 66,205 18,720 84,925
• KVKs organized 55,355 extension activities to accelerate
dissemination of technologies.
• KVKs produced 53,22.5 tonnes of seeds of cereals, oilseeds,
pulses and vegetables, in addition to 5.22 million sapling/
of fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal plants, ornamental
plants, plantation crops and forest species. KVKs also
produced 23,321,176 livestock strains.
• KVKs (129) started publication of quarterly newsletters in
local languages as well as in English and Hindi.
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, REFINEMENT AND TRANSFER
159
extension personnel, 1,584 training programmes were sponsored
by various organizations covering 83,688 participants. The
organizations which sponsored such training programmes include
NABARD, DRDA, CAPART, ATMA, DBT, DST, State Department of
Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Women and Child welfare and
Horticulture.
Extension Activities
The KVKs organized 55,355 extension activities covering 2.43
million farmers to accelerate dissemination of technologies. The
activities included field days, kisan mela, kisan gosthies, exhibitions,
ex-trainees sammelan, advisory service, film shows, diagnostic
services, clinic centres, farm science clubs and formation of selfhelp
groups (SHGs).
In addition 4,910 newspaper coverage, publication of 1,785
popular articles and 1,281 extension literatures, 63 bulletins and
3,030 radio and TV talks were taken up by the KVKs.
Production of seeds by the KVKs
Crop Seed (tonnes)
Cereals 3,459.15
Oilseeds 643.91
Pulses 630.10
Vegetables 132.47
Spices 38.94
Flowers 9.55
Potato (Tubers) 9.09
Commercial crops 27.11
Fodder 31.52
Greenmanure 12.80
Medicinal 4.99
Other 322.84
Total 5,322.54
Production of Seed/Planting Material
The KVKs produced 5,322.5 tonnes of seeds of cereals, oilseeds,
pulses and vegetables. In addition, 5.22 million saplings/seedlings
of fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal plants, ornamental plants,
plantation crops and forest species were produced. Besides, 23,321,176
livestock strains were also produced for availability to the farmers.
Monitoring Mechanism
During the year, Zonal Workshops (10) were organized with
the participation of all the KVKs to review the work done during
the year and formulation of action plan for the next year.
Similarly, 42 State level workshops were organized in order to
review the frontline demonstrations on oilseeds and pulses. Workshop
(6) were organized under HRD programmes for KVKs staff.
Interface at District Level
To strengthen research-extension linkages the KVKs organized
Extension activities
Activities Number No. of beneficiaries
Advisory services 32,841 127,594
Diagnostic visits 4,654 30,962
Ex-trainee sammelan 112 7,109
Exhibitions 521 1,281,973
Field days 1,916 120,643
Film shows 1,022 57,293
Group discussions 546 12,346
Help line services 11,267 4,079
Kisan gosthies 1,457 124,058
Kisan melas 397 625,138
Seminars 195 14,879
Self-help group meeting 376 20,998
Workshops 51 3,298
Total 55,355 2,430,370
Publications
129 KVKs have started publication of quarterly newsletters in
local languages as well as in English and Hindi for the benefit
of the farming community. These newsletters contain information
on agricultural operations for the coming three months, besides
useful articles on crop production, vegetable cultivation,
horticulture, animal sciences, home science, agricultural
engineering, etc. The newsletters also carry the schedule of
training programmes of the KVK in the ensuing three months
and are widely circulated to the farmers, Gram Panchayats
and line departments.
Production of planting materials by the KVKs
Categories Seedlings/saplings/livestock
strains (No)
Cereals 282,000
Commercial crops 155,000
Vegetables 1,797,736
Fruits 780,532
Ornamentals 218,161
Spices 432,511
Fodder 112,527
Plantation 88,649
Forest tree 958,123
Medicinal 2,705
Biofuel 370,236
Others 26,702
Total 5,224,882
Livestock strain 25,231
Fishery (Fingerlings) 23,295,945
Total 23,321,176
Grand Total 2,846,058
DARE/ICAR ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006
160
Kisan Club
The KVK in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab formed 9 Kisan Clubs
in different villages with 229 farmers to maintain a continuous
interaction with the farmers. A yearly action plan is prepared
in consultation with the Chief Volunteers of Kisan Clubs, Chief
General Manager and Assistant General Manager of NABARD
and Managers of the concerned banks. NABARD provided a
financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per club per annum. Besides
regular interaction with the club members and the KVK staff in
bimonthly review meetings, the KVK also organized training
programmes, demonstrations, seed replacement campaigns,
educational tours and animal welfare camps, providing
necessary literature to disseminate improved technologies.
222-interface meetings involving the scientist and development
officials at district level.
Literature Developed/Published:The KVKs published 8,269
literatures.
IMPACT OF KVK
Stem Application—A Cost Effective Technology in Cotton
In Andhra Pradesh, cotton is grown in an area of 0.8 million
ha during kharif. Cotton accounts for more than 50% of the total
amount of pesticides used in agriculture. The KVKs in Guntur and
Khammam districts have demonstrated the effectiveness of stem
application of pesticides in cotton. This reduces the pesticide
usage in cotton to control sucking pests (ahpids, jassids, thrips
and whitefly) especially during the initial stages. The technology
has been adopted by 1,935 farmers in Guntur district alone,
covering an area of 1,400 ha, resulting in overall saving of Rs
1.26 million to the farmers. It has also been adopted by 230
farmers in Pinapaka village in Khammam district of Andhra
Pradesh with a saving of Rs 2,250/ha.
Tissue Analysis Based on Nutrient Management
Nutrient management is an important aspect for quality
production of grape and pomegranate at Ahmednagar district
and its export. The KVK provided the facilities for leaf/petiole
analysis for the first time in the district especially for cash crops.
Tissue analysis along with foliar feeding and fertigation through
Demonstration of stem application technique in cotton at KVK, Khamman,
Andhra Pradesh
Tissue analysis in the laboratory at KVK, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
• Stem application of pesticides in cotton reduced pesticide
usage by controlling sucking pests.
• KVK, Ahmednagar provided the facilities for leaf/petiole
analysis for the first time in the district for proper nutrient
management, especially for cash crops. The fertigation and
foliar nutrients management technology has diffused among
the farming community with KVK’s need based intervention.
• Kisan clubs (9) in different villages maintained a continuous
interaction with the farmers.
drip has become a common practice and KVK became the focal
point for commercial fruit growers. The soluble fertigation grades
and the spray grades are made available to the farmers at the
KVK. Annually about 1,000 to 1,200 farmers especially grape and
pomegranate growers of about 500 ha from 7 tehsils of Ahmednagar
district and 3 intensive grape growing tehsils of Nasik district are
benefited. The farmers from these areas adopted the plant tissues
based nutrients management package and produces the export
quality fruits.
Farmers’ clubs played a key role in spreading the technology
among the grape and pomegranate farmers. Initially soluble and
spray grades were available with the KVK only but with the
increase in their demand, most of the agro-service centres are
providing these inputs.
About 70–75% grape and pomegranate growers of Ahmednagar
and adjoining districts now follow the soil and tissue analysis
based nutrient management to get higher yield and better
quality. Tissue analysis based nutrient management is also being
adopted in other crops like vegetables and sugarcane.
Women Self-help Group
A number of KVKs have tried the concept of disseminating
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, REFINEMENT AND TRANSFER
161
appropriate need based technologies through Self-help groups
(SHGs). KVKs (4) in Andhra Pradesh (Chittoor, Karimnagar, East
Godawari and Srikakulam), 7 in Maharashtra (Ahemdnagar,
Amaravathi (Durgapura), Jalna, Satara, Solapur, Thane and Pune)
and 2 KVKs in Assam (Sonitpur and Golaghat) formed a total
number of 1,584 self-help groups with a membership of 16,826
covering 409 villages.
The activities of most of the SHGs include establishment of
various rural enterprises like dairy, backyard poultry, goatry,
production and sale of vermicompost, tailoring, rural crafts, food
processing and production and sale of vegetables. Among all the
enterprises dairying was found to be highly promising. The
average annual earning of a SHG beneficiary from dairying was
found to be Rs 23,000 (Srikakulam, Karimnagar and Pune) to Rs
30,000 (Chittoor and Ahmennagar). Landless women belonging
to SHGs of KVK, Chittoor derived maximum income i.e., 73%
income from dairy. There was 70% increase in participation of
landless women in dairying due to formation of such groups by
KVK, Pune. Small scale food processing and value addition was
also found to be one of the major activities of the SHGs. Food
preservation and processing generated income of Rs 17,000/year
to most of the women belonging to SHGs of Jammikunta and
nearby villages in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The
average annual income from tailoring and garment making
enterprise was Rs 13,000 (Ahemdnagar and Karimnagar)
With the technical assistance of the KVK, SHGs have established
various rural enterprises like dairy (15 groups), backyard poultry
(56 groups), goatry (49 groups), vermicompost unit (32 groups),
tailoring and fabric designing (15 groups), and food processing
and value addition (8 groups).
The KVK has been focusing on the problems of health and
malnutrition of women and children of 2 drought prone villages
(Kadegaon and Warudi) of Jalna, Maharashtra. The KVK has
conducted 33 training programmes on various technologies, viz.
post harvest value addition (anola, mango, sapota, grapes, tomato,
soybean and fingermillet), kitchen gardening, seed treatment,
IPM, INM, vermicomposting, watershed management, grading of
fruits and vegetables, backyard poultry, dairy and hand embroidery.
Some of the packed items such as fruit candy (anola and sapota),
powdered sapota, raisin grapes, tomato ketchup, jams and jellies,
anola supari, cereal and pulse based papads and soybean products
made out of village surplus are in great demand in local markets
of Jalna and nearby areas.
The tribal women belonging to Dhanu and nearby villages of
Thane district of Maharashtra formed 10 SHGs and established 10
vermicompost units under the guidance of KVK, Thane and with
financial assistance of ITDP, Dhanu. There was substantial cost
reduction due to usage of forest-based raw material for running
the units. The average bimonthly income of each unit was found
to be Rs 8,500.
Leader Driven Transfer of Technology
KVK, Gadag (Karnataka) identified representatives of selected
self-help groups and progressive farmers who were closely associated
with different programmes of KVK. Farmers/farmwomen (50)
were selected and special trainings were imparted to them in their
area of expertise and in technology leader concept. These leaders
serve as resource persons for the KVK training programmes as
well as for their self-help groups and fellow farmers of the village.
The advisory services and material provided by these technology
leaders resulted in establishment of 474 units in 72 villages, with
an annual production of 3,700 tonnes of vermicompost. Because
of vermi compost application in 9,000 ha the farmers could save
Rs 800–1,400/ha on fertilizer. The floriculture leaders influenced
10 farmers in 3 villages to cultivate improved varieties and adopt
scientific methods of post harvest handling and marketing. Now
the area under floriculture has increased to 13 ha in four villages,
providing an additional income of Rs 10,000–15,000/ha.
‘aAqua’—A Dynamic and Interactive IT Portal
KVK in Pune district of Maharashtra and IIT, Mumbai, developed
a web based interactive portal called ‘aAqua’ (almost all questions
answered) for the benefit of the farmers, which can be accessed
and viewed on http://aaqua.persistent.co.in/aaqua/forum/index.
The main features are bi-lingual (both English and Marathi),
• With the assistance of the KVK, SHGs have established
various rural enterprises like dairy (15 groups), backyard
poultry (56 groups), goatry (49 groups), vermicompost unit
(32 groups), training and fabric designing (15 groups),
and food processing an value addition (8 groups).
• A web based interactive portal called ‘aAqua’ was developed
by KVK in Pune district of Maharashtra and IIT, Mumbai
• KVK, Pune, Maharashtra in collaboration with Vidya
Partisthan Institute of Information Technology at Baramati
started FM community radio dedicated to agriculture.
Vermicomposting
It is emerging as an important source in supplementing chemical
fertilizers in agriculture. In 2002, KVK in Bharuch district (Gujarat)
provided worms to 13 farmers to start their vermicompost units.
There was a constant follow up by the KVK for proper adoption of
the technology by the farmers. It was observed that by 2004 all the
farmers in village Chikolta started vermicompost production by
2004. The efforts of KVK Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) to promote
vermicomposting resulted in establishment of 4 units with improved
race of Red American worms in 2003 and the technology was
extended to 115 FIGs and WIGs (Farmer interest and Woman
interest groups).
DARE/ICAR ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006
162
question and answer archives, and decision support by plant
pathologist to identify crop diseases and crop-wise recommendations
by State Agricultural Universities of Maharashtra. So far, the
portal has answered 2,737 queries covering 1,145 topics and at
present there are 714 registered users. It has received Gold award
of Digital Foundation Empowerment, New Delhi for best e-content
development for the year 2005.
FM Community Radio Dedicated to Agriculture
The KVK, Pune in collaboration with Vidya Pratishthan Institute
of Information Technology at Baramati, started FM (Frequency
Modulation) community radio dedicated to agriculture on 29
March, 2005. The major aspects are market information, day-today
field operation of important crops and major enterprises,
information on daily weather, daily serial reading of a book on
agriculture, answering farmers questions by subject-matter
specialists, farmers school on radio, i.e. a serial on a crop or
enterprise, disease forecasting, interviewing a progressive farmer,
a slot for subject matter specialist of State Agricultural University
or other research institute. KVK is shouldering the responsibility
of content generation, while Vidya Pratishthan’s Institute of
Information Technology is responsible for the transmission.
‘Own Your Seed’—An Intervention by KVK, Guntur
The KVK, Guntur, initiated seed production activity including
the latest and high yielding varieties of major crops like rice,
blackgram, greengram and groundnut in its instructional farm
since 1992–93. KVK promoted the concept of ‘Own your Seed’ and
• KVK, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra standardized the technology
for production of commercial products of Spirulina like
Vaseline and face pack.
• KVK, Mandubar, developed audio-visual material (CD) in
tribal dialect.
• Farmers’ field school are being conducted since 1994–95
or paddy, groundnut and cotton.
‘Farmer to Farmer’ net work by conducting 15 training programmes
and 35 demonstrations which has benefited 612 farmers since
1993–94. Due to sustained efforts by KVK, the total seed production
at KVK farm was 865 tonnes, which include rice (687.10), blackgram
(116.9), greengram (39.4), groundnut (13.6), and other crops.
The intense activity of KVK also resulted in a total production of
298 tonnes of quality seed of rice (196.97), blackgram (40.8) and
groundnut (60.6) by 150 farmers. KVK has established a seedprocessing
unit at its campus with financial assistance of ICAR
for the benefit of the farmers in Guntur district.
Educational Material in Tribal Dialect
To enhance the control of the hairy caterpillar in groundnut
Spirulina for Balance Diet and Employment Generation
Spirulina, blue green algae, is a good protein supplement with
medicinal value. It took 3 years for KVK, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
to standardize its production technology. It has also standardized the
procedure for production of commercial products of spirulina like
spirulina vaseline (used for wound healing, cuts, sore feet and dry
lips) and spirulina face pack (used for smooth skin, to remove black
spots and for anti aging property). After successful development of
technology, KVK started a demonstration unit for rural/family based
spirulina production unit and commercial raceway tank. The benefits
of spirulina were publicised through newspaper, magazine, television,
etc. which helped in creating its awareness among both the rural and
urban population. Mass media also helped in developing market
linkages. Based on the encouraging feedback KVK is now planning
to enrich different food items and health drinks with spirulina besides
helping to establish more spirulina units.
Farmers’ Field School (FFS)
The schools are being conducted by the Department of Agriculture,
Government of Pondicherry, since 1994–95 for paddy, groundnut
and cotton. During 1994–95 to 2003–04, 158 Farmers Field
Schools were conducted on various crops for 4,740 farmers of
Pondicherry region.
As a result of FFSs, 3,420 paddy farmers used 3,725 cc of
T.Japonicum against paddy stem borer, 11,528 cc of T.chilonis to
control paddy leaf folder and 13,285 kg of P.flourescens against
paddy blast, sheath blight, sheath rot and bacterial leaf blight.
Continuous use of biocontrol agents and biopesticides helped not
only to protect the crop from the targeted pests but also to conserve
the natural enemies of these pests, which led to reduced occurrence
of pests and diseases (sheath rot and bacterial blight incidence
reduced from 25% in 1998 to only 5% in 2003). With the adoption
of IPM, paddy farmers are now able to earn a net income of Rs
16,875/ha, which is Rs 5,688 more than their income before they
adopted the IPM package. Pesticides consumption in Pondicherry has
come down significantly from 135 tonnes in 1994–95 to 46.95
tonnes in 2003–04, accounting for more than 65% reduction. The
reduced demand for pesticides, led to closure of about 30% of
pesticide outlets in the district (209 in 1996–97 to 130 in 2003–04).
by the tribal farmers, the KVK developed audio-visual educational
material (CD) in tribal dialect, which evoked good response from
both farmers and the agricultural department personnel.
Spirulina production for employment generation (rectangular family based
production) at KVK, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
151
Technology Assessment, Refinement and Transfer
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is a major project of the Council
for technology assessment, refinement and transfer. At present,
there are 500 KVKs in State Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institutes,
NGOs, State Governments and other institutions.
KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA
The major activities of KVK are enumerated here.
On-farm Trials
A total of 1,318 technologies were taken up for on-farm trials
by the KVKs in order to evaluate and assess their impact on
location-specific basis in different farming systems including
varietal/feed evaluation (562), nutrient feed management (293),
cropping system (97), resource conservation (35), weed management
(62) and insect/disease management (269).
Performance of zero-till seed-cum-fertilizer drill
(ZTSD): Zero-tillage trials were conducted by 16 KVKs (7 of
Haryana and 9 of Punjab) to make the farmers aware of the use
of zero-till drill for sowing of wheat. The wheat sown by zerotillage
gave more yield by 6.7% in Haryana and 4.1% in Punjab
than conventional method of sowing
Leaf Colour Chart (LCC) based nitrogen management
in paddy in Haryana: In Faridabad district, paddy is
transplanted with a basal dose of 20 kg urea/acre. On-farm trials
were conducted on LCC based nitrogen management in paddy (cv
HKR 126) during kharif 2005. The application of nitrogen based
on LCC with recommended plant population gave the highest
• KVKs conducted on-farm trials on 1,318 technologies to
identify the location specificity under different farming
systems.
• ZTSD on rice-wheat system not only increased yield but
also lower the cost of land preparation.
• Puddling in paddy with soil pulverizing roller saved 90 cm
of water per hectare with an increase in yield of 2.4% over
conventional method of puddling.
• Adoption of IPM gave 32% increase in yield over control
with an average yield of 2.05 tonnes/ha in pigeonpea.
On-farm trials by KVKs
Crops Varietal/feed Nutrient/feed Cropping Resource Weed Insect/disease Total
evaluation management system conservation* management management
Cereals 230 75 34 11 30 57 437
Oilseeds 62 32 20 4 29 147
Pulses 52 9 10 8 5 28 112
Commercial crops 28 16 8 1 0 33 86
Vegetables, fruits and flowers 135 85 25 15 13 102 375
Animal Science 55 76 0 0 10 20 161
Total 562 293 97 35 62 269 1,318
*Resource conservation technologies include zero-tillage, bed planting and LCC based nitrogen management
Sowing of wheat by zero-tillage at KVK, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh
DARE/ICAR ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006
152
yield of 5.7 tonnes/ha with an improvement in yield of 2.2% over
application of recommended dose of nitrogenous fertilizer. In
Kaithal district, the application of nitrogen based on leaf colour
chart basis with recommended plant population gave the highest
yield of 6.35 tonnes/ha, with an improvement in yield of 2.1%
over application of recommended dose of nitrogen fertilizer.
Pe r formanc e of soi l -pulve r izing rol l e r and
conventional method of puddling on paddy: Puddling
in paddy (cv PR 114) with soil pulverizing roller saved 90 cm of
water per hectare with an increase in yield of 2.4% over conventional
method of puddling in Patiala district of Punjab.
Effect of pruning and mulching on yield and
quality in Santa Rosa plum: On-farm trial was conducted
on yield and quality in Santa Rosa plum in Solan district of
Himachal Pradesh. The highest fruit yield (21.68 tonnes/ha) and
maximum fruit weight (47.50 g) were recorded with 25–30%
thinning of shoots along with 1/3–1/2 heading back of shoots. The
treatment also recorded the highest Benefit : Cost ratio of 3.95.
Zero-tillage in wheat in Haryana and Punjab
District/KVK Year No. of farmers Area (ha) Average yield (tonnes/ha) % Increase over
Zero- Conconventional
tillage ventional
tillage
tillage
HARYANA
Kurukshetra 1998–05 271 132.6 4.78 4.44 7.7
Kaithal 1997–05 123 121.3 4.39 4.12 6.6
Panipat 1999–05 153 70.5 4.80 4.57 5.0
Faridabad 2001–05 92 132.0 4.28 4.01 6.7
Rohtak 2002–03 18 56.0 4.72 4.67 1.1
Sonipat 2002–04 16 22.0 4.67 4.51 3.5
Gurgaon 2004–05 5 2.0 4.77 4.68 1.9
Total/Average 678 536.4 4.56 4.31 5.8
PUNJAB
Bathinda 2002–05 56 111.4 4.52 4.39 3.0
Faridkot 2002–05 55 87.0 4.53 4.35 4.1
Ferozepur 2000–03 41 108.4 4.54 4.51 0.7
Gurdaspur 2000–03 52 47.7 4.60 4.58 0.4
Kapurthala 1999–04 57 179.7 4.99 4.83 3.3
Nawanshahar 2001–03 38 59.6 4.58 4.45 2.9
Patiala 1999–05 92 299.8 4.61 4.56 1.1
Sangrur 2002–05 201 154.8 5.27 5.17 1.9
Hoshiarpur 2003–04 10 20.0 5.05 5.03 0.4
Total/Average 602 1,068.4 4.77 4.67 2.1
Effect of pruning and mulching on yield and quality in Santa Rosa Plum
Treatments Fruit size (mm) Fruit Yield (kg/) Yield (tonnes TSS (%) Acidity (%) Increase in
Length Breadth
weight (g) tree /ha) yield over
FP (%)
FP 36.4 33.2 34.4 48.5 13.43 11.10 0.60 -
T1 39.3 38.2 38.3 58.8 16.28 11.70 0.65 21.80
T2 40.2 39.4 44.2 67.0 18.55 11.50 0.52 38.12
T3 43.3 41.8 47.5 78.0 21.689 12.30 0.40 61.49
Sale Rate: Rs 8/kg
FP: No orchard management practices; T1: 25–30% thinning of shoots; T2: T1 + 1/3–½ heading back of shoots and T3: T2+ grass mulch
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, REFINEMENT AND TRANSFER
153
Performance of groundnut varieties: KVK in Kaimur
district, Bihar conducted an on-farm trial with 5 varieties of
groundnut. Among the varieties, TG 22 gave the highest average
yield of 2.2 tonnes/ha followed by Birsa Bold (1.76 tonnes/ha).
Among the short duration varieties (105 to 112 days duration),
ICGS 1 gave higher yield of 1.48 tonnes/ha followed by 1.37
tonnes/ha and 1.14 tonnes/ha from ICGS 37 and BR 12 respectively.
Performance of turmeric varieties: The KVK in Bankura
district of West Bengal conducted an on-farm trial for identification
of suitable turmeric variety for red lateritic soil conditions. Out of
8 varieties, TCP 2 gave the highest yield of 92.5 tonnes/ha,
followed by TCP 11 (87 tonnes/ha) and Kasturi (79.2 tonnes/ha).
for next 3 months/ha) was suggested. The KVK in Basti district
conducted an on-farm trial with 3 treatments. Using proper ratio
of Indian and exotic fingerlings alone could increase the fish
yield by 28%. This treatment in combination with use of
supplementary feed gave 52% increase in yield.
In treatment T1 (farmers’ practice), the net income was Rs
39,000/ha by investing Rs 24,000/ha. In T2, with an initial
investment of Rs 23,000/ha, the net income was Rs 57,000/ha.
Similarly by investing Rs 29,000/ha in T3, the net income was Rs
75,000/ha.
Increasing milk yield through mineral supplement
for buffalo: The KVK in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, conducted a trial
with 3 treatments. The use of mineral supplement (Ostovet 100
ml/day) gave an average milk yield of 9.2 litres/day, which is 15%
more than without the supplement.
Performance of turmeric varieties in West
Bengal
Variety Yield (tonnes/ha)
R.Sonia 50.2
Nagaland local 59.0
RH 5 55.0
Pct 13 59.0
TCP 11 87.0
Kasturi 79.2
TCP 2 92.5
TCP 1 72.0
Management of Helicoverpa and wilt in Chickpea: The
KVK in Basti district, Uttar Pradesh conducted an on-farm trial to
identify suitable control measures for Helicoverpa and wilt disease
in chickpea through IPM. Application of IPM module (HYV PUSA
256 + Trichoderma 4g/kg seed + spraying of 5% neem kernel extract
+ NPV 250 L.E./ha) gave 42% increase in yield.
Management of population density and feed
regulations in fishponds: To increase the fish production
through polyculture, optimum density of fingerlings and
supplementary feeding (rice bran + mustard cake 1 : 1 @5 kg/
day for first 3 months, 8 kg/day for next 3 months and 12 kg/day
Feed management for buffaloes in Uttar Pradesh
Treatments Milk production Increase
(litres/day) in yield (%)
T1–Farmers’ practice without 8.0 -
mineral mixture
T2–Mineral supplement 8.6 6.97
(untimely 40g/day)
T3–Mineral supplement 9.2 15
(ostovet 100 ml/day)
Nutrient management in wheat: The KVK in Satara,
Maharashtra, conducted an on-farm trial on nutrient management
to improve the low yield of wheat due to poor tillering and grain
filling. The application of 120 kg N, 60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O per
ha along with spray grade of N,P and K at the time of tillering
(19 : 19 : 19), flowering (0 : 52 : 34) and grain filling stage (0 : 50)
Nutrient management in wheat with spray
grade fertilizer
Treatments Yield Increase in
(tonnes/ha) yield (%)
T1–Imbalance use of fertilizers 2.87
T2–Application of 120 kg N, 3.24 12.94
60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O/ha
T3–Application of 120 kg N, 3.45 20.10
60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O/ha
plus spray grade 19:19:19 at
the time of tillering, 00:52:34 at
the timeof flowering and 0:0:50
NPK at the time of grain filling
stage
Management of Helicoverpa and wilt in
chickpea in Uttar Pradesh
Treatments Yield Increase in
(tonnes/ha) yield (%)
T1– Use of variety Radhey 1.22 -
T2– HYV Pusa 256 + Trichoderma 1.48 21
4 g/kg seed
T3– T2 + Spraying of 5% neem 1.61 32
kernel extract
T4– T3 + NPV 250 L.E./ha 1.73 42
DARE/ICAR ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006
154
increased the yield by 20% over the farmers practice (2.87 tonnes/ha).
Nutrient management in wheat based on soil test
results in Pune, Maharashtra: The KVK in Pune district of
Maharashtra conducted an on-farm trial with 3 treatments. The
highest yield of 3.77 tonnes/ha was obtained with the application
of 120 : 60 : 60 NPK kg/ha as per soil testing, which was about
23% more than yield under the farmers’ practice (2.79 tonnes/ha).
gave 113% more yield than farmers’ practice.
Nutrient management of onion in Maharashtra: To
improve the bulb formation and thereby the yield of onion
through proper nutrient management, the KVK in Ahmedagar
district, Maharashtra, conducted an on-farm trial with 3 treatments.
It was found that application of 150 : 50 : 70 NPK kg/ha along
with foliar application of P and K and vermiwash gave yield of
23.5 tonnes/ha which was 24% more than the yield under farmer’s
practice.
Nut r i ent management of pomegranat e in
Maharashtra: To reduce the flower drop for obtaining higher
yield of pomegranate, the KVK in Pune, Maharashtra, conducted
an on-farm trial with 3 treatments including Planofix spray and
balanced fertilizer application. Application of 625 : 250 :250 g
NPK per plant and 2 sprays of Planofix @ 20 ppm gave 18% more
yield than farmers practice.
Management of white wooly aphid in sugarcane:
The KVK in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra conducted a trial with 3
treatments to identify suitable control measures for white wooly
aphids attack in sugarcane. The practice of collecting and burning
infested leaves, seed treatment with Malathion, paired row planting,
release of bioagents, application of verticilium @ 2 kg/acre
followed by neem oil spray @ 2 litre/acre gave yield of 8.79
tonnes/ha compared to that of pesticide spray alone (9.89 tonnes/
ha) with 50% reduction in cost of plant protection.
Integrated pest management for pod borer in
pigeonpea:To test the efficacy of integrated pest management
on control of pod borer in pigeonpea, on-farm trial was conducted
by the KVK in Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh, with 3 treatments
including farmers practice. Adoption of IPM gave 32% increase in
yield over control with an average yield of 2.05 tonnes/ha.
Nutrient management of wheat in Pune,
Maharashtra
Treatments Yield Increase in
(tonnes/ha) yield (%)
T1–Farmers’ Practice: Urea, SSP 2.79
and MOP @10:26:26.
T2–Recommended dose of fertilizers
120:60:60 NPK Kg/ha as per 3.42 22.27
soil test results
T3–Recommended dose of fertilizers 3.77 34.79
and use of spray grade multinutrient
fertilizer @ 9% N, 9%
P2O5,9% K2O, 2% Fe, 2% Mn,
2% Zn—5 litres/acre at 60,
90 days after sowing
Nutrient management of niger in Orissa: An on-farm
trial was conducted by the KVK in Keonjhar district, Orissa, to
increase the yield of niger through proper nutrient management
with 4 treatments. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer
(40 : 40 : 0 kg NPK per ha) gave 133% more yield than farmers
practice (no fertilizer). Application of 50% recommended dose of
fertilizer along with application of Azatobactor and PSB also
Management of white wooly aphid attack in sugarcane
Treatments Yield (tonnes/ha)
T1–Farmers practice: Spraying Methyl demeton @2ml/litre 9.89
T2–Cutting and burning of infested leaves, seed treatment with Malathion, bio-agents-Conobathara/
Chrysoperla and need based Chemical sprays (Methyl demeton/dimethoate @2ml/litre) 9.49
T3–Cutting and burning of infested leaves, seed treatment with Malathion, paired row planting, release of 8.79
bio-agents Conobathara/Chrysoperla, application of Verticilium @2kg/acre followed by Neem oil spray
@2 litre/acre
Integrated pest management for pod borer in pigeonpea
Treatments Yield (tonnes/ha) Increase in yield (%)
T1– Farmers’ practice (one and two spray of endosulfan) 1.55
T2– Polythin 40 + Chloropyriphos 1.88 21.3
T3– IPM (SDP + Seed treatment + Nimbicidine + Pheromone trap +bird perches) 2.05 32.2
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Integrated wilt management in chickpea: The KVK in
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, conducted an on-farm trial on chickpea
with 3 treatments. Adoption of IPM including the use of resistant
variety and seed treatment with Trichoderma viridae gave 49%
more yield as compared to farmers practice and the wilt incidence
was 20% in locally adopted variety (U 21).
Integrated wilt management in chickpea
Treatments Wilt Yield Increase in
incidence (%) (tonnes/ha) yield (%)
T1– Farmers’ practice – use of seeds of available variety and no seed treatment 20.5 1.28 -
T2– Use of farmers seeds + seed treatment with Trichoderma viridae 6.2 1.52 18.75
T3– Use of seed of resistant variety of chickpea (JG 130) +seed treatment with 3.6 1.91 49.2
Trichoderma viridae
Frontline Demonstrations
During the year, 35,064 demonstrations were organized on
various aspects of crop production and fishery covering an area of
11,938.8 ha.
Oilseeds: During the year, 15,787 demonstrations were
conducted covering 5,918.4 ha on 13 oilseed crops. The increase
Frontline demonstrations on oilseeds
Crop No. of farmers Area (ha) Yield (tonnes/ha) Increase (%)
Demonstration Local
Castor 678 325.5 1.47 1.13 39.9
Gobi Sarson 511 113.3 1.15 0.86 42.6
Groundnut (kharif) 2,887 1,039.6 1.82 1.31 43.0
Groundnut (rabi) 905 418.0 2.14 1.55 37.9
Linseed 453 134.6 0.94 0.65 48.5
Mustard 3,992 1,374.1 1.31 0.95 43.1
Niger 598 168.0 0.38 0.24 66.0
Raya 559 254.0 1.44 1.06 39.3
Safflower 231 106.6 0.92 0.74 24.4
Sesame 1,463 616.0 0.65 0.84 46.3
Soybean 1,572 617.3 1.60 1.18 39.0
Sunflower 963 466.6 1.45 1.13 31.9
Toria 975 284.9 0.95 0.67 52.0
Total/Wt.Average 15,787 5,918.4 1.38 1.05 31.4
Frontline demonstration on GCH 6 variety of castor at KVK, Jamnagar, Gujarat Frontline demonstration on mustard variety Kaushal at KVK, Barmer, Rajasthan
DARE/ICAR ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006
156
in yield varied from 24.4 in safflower to 66% in niger and on an
average oilseed crops under demonstration gave 31.4% more yield
than farmers practice.
Pulses: During the year, 7,282 demonstrations were conducted
covering 2,335.6 ha. The increase in yield varied from 21.9 in
rajmash to 52.1% in moth bean and on an average pulse crops
under demonstration gave 42.7% more yield than farmers practice.
Cotton: During the year, 1,122 demonstrations covering an
area of 618.9 ha were conducted. A total of 33 high yielding and
pest-tolerant varieties and hybrids, INM and IPM technologies
were demonstrated to show the production potentials on the
farmer’s fields. Training programmes (164) covering 5,544 farmers
and 31 training programmes for 725 extension functionaries
were organized besides 49 field days with 5,571 participants. In
addition, 173 other extension activities (1,813 participants) were
undertaken, besides, radio/TV talk and newspaper coverage.
Other crops: During the year, 10,873 demonstrations were
conducted covering 3,684.8 ha on cereals, horticultural and
commercial crops, and 1,891 different enterprises like dairy, sheep
and goat, poultry, piggery, rabbitry, apiculture and mushroom
production.
Frontline demonstrations on pulses
Crop No. of farmers Area (ha) Yield (tonnes/ha) Increase (%)
Demonstration Local
Bengalgram 1,911 643.8 1.36 0.97 42.9
Blackgram 1,263 378.3 0.82 0.60 40.6
Field Pea 429 81.8 2.09 1.65 32.8
Greengram 1,111 416.3 0.80 0.55 47.8
Lentil 629 159.9 1.19 0.85 42.9
Moth bean 69 31.2 0.77 0.52 50.3
Rajmash 244 41.2 1.06 0.91 21.9
Red gram 1,626 583.1 1.33 0.89 52.1
Total/Wt.Average 7,282 2,335.6 1.17 0.82 42.7
Frontline demonstration on gladiolus at KVK, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh
• KVKs organized 35,064 demonstrations on various aspects
of crop production and fishery covering an area of 11,938.8
ha.
• Yield increased in oilseeds, pulses, cotton, cereals,
horticultural and commercial crops and different enterprises
through frontline demonstrations. Number of livestock also
increased.
Frontline demonstrations on other crops and
enterprises
Crop/Enterprise No of Area
demonstrations (ha)
Cereals 6,657 2,559.9
Millets 20 10.0
Cash crops 884 444.6
Fodder crops 671 142.5
Fruit crops 76 16.9
Vegetable crops 1,764 316.5
Plantation crops 30 12.0
Spices and condiments 125 23.7
Flowers and ornamental crops 139 13.2
Medicinal and aromatic plants 83 30.6
Fishery 78 114.9
Total 10,527 3,684.8
Units (No)
Dairy 15 20
Sheep and goat 58 370
Poultry 183 1,260
Piggery 10 6
Rabbi try 17 12
Apiculture 13 13
Mushroom units 50 210
Total 346 1,891
Grand Total 10,873
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, REFINEMENT AND TRANSFER
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Training Programme
Farmers’ training: A total of 25,969 training programmes
were organized benefiting 0.68 million farmers and farmwomen
in crop production, livestock production and management, group
dynamics, use of improved tools and implements, agroforestry,
fisheries, biotechnology, horticulture, plant protection, soil fertility
management, home science and others.
Training programmes for farmers and farmwomen
Areas of training No. of courses No. of participants
Male Female Total
Crop production 6,650 139,952 40,085 180,037
Horticulture 4,060 84,753 22,956 107,709
Group dynamics 1,097 23,420 7,839 31,259
Agricultural engineering 1,177 25,350 6,213 31,563
Home science 3,914 9,132 79,083 88,215
Livestock production/management 2,739 47,435 22,967 70,402
Plant protection 3,866 88,304 16,399 104,703
Fishery 410 7,994 1,614 9,608
Seed production 106 2,999 295 3,294
Apiculture 41 561 274 835
Mushroom production 130 1,303 1,997 3,300
Soil fertility management 1,062 22,509 7,050 29,559
Agroforestry 354 6,381 1,236 7,617
Others 363 8,201 3,913 12,114
Total 25,969 468,294 211,921 680,215
Training for rural youth
Areas of training No. of courses No. of participants
Male Female Total
Agricultural engineering 387 5,511 801 6,312
Agricultural extension 282 5,773 2,008 7,781
Agroforestry 212 1,501 359 1,860
Apiculture 77 1,559 462 2,021
Crop production 1,150 18,642 4,058 22,700
Fishery 172 2,847 879 3,726
Home science 1,587 2,898 29,518 32,416
Horticulture 1,350 19,396 7,003 26,399
Livestock production/management 1,076 13,605 5,796 19,401
Mushroom production 136 1,607 1,555 3,162
Plant protection 974 14,239 3,198 17,437
Seed production 35 618 17 635
Soil fertility management 195 3,588 1,232 4,820
Others 610 6,761 7,508 14,269
Total 8,243 98,545 64,394 162,939
• KVKs organized 25,969 training programmes for farmers,
8, 243 skill-oriented training programmes for rural youth
and 3,751 training programmes for in-service personnel.
Out of these 1,584 training programmes were sponsored
by various organizations.
Training course for farmers on proper use and maintenance of farm machinery
at KVK, Bhatinda, Punjab
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Training for rural youth: The training programmes for
the rural youth were organized on use of farm power and
machinery, group mobilization, agroforestry, biotechnology, crop
production, fishery, horticulture, hybrid seed production, livestock
production and management, cultivation of medicinal plants,
plant protection, post harvest technology, soil fertility management,
home science and other income generating activities. A total of
8,243 skill-training programmes were organized for 0.16 million
rural youth.
Training for in-service extension personnel: A total of
3,751 training programmes were conducted covering 84,925
participants.
Sponsored training programmes: Out of a total 37,963
training programmes (9.28 lakh participants) conducted by the
KVKs for the farmers and farm women, rural youth and inservice
Sponsored training programmes
Areas of training No. of courses No. of participants
Male Female Total
Crop production 515 21,908 6,676 28,584
Horticulture 200 8,672 1,367 10,039
Livestock production/management 191 5,717 3,952 9,669
Home science 254 2,676 10,351 13,027
Agricultural engineering 24 785 66 851
Plant protection 138 5,689 1,949 7,638
Fisheries 10 625 225 850
Agricultural extension 100 4,423 1,591 6,014
Agroforestry 3 120 0 120
Soil fertility management 44 1,226 151 1,377
Rural crafts 26 545 50 595
Apiary 1 20 14 34
Sericulture 1 14 7 21
Vermicompost 1 15 0 15
Others 76 4,177 677 4,854
Total 1,584 56,612 27,076 83,688
Training for in-service extension personnel
Areas of training No. of courses No. of participants
Male Female Total
Crop production 867 18,920 2,292 21,212
Horticulture 786 10,473 1,877 12,350
Agricultural extension 368 7,029 1,559 8,588
Agricultural engineering 202 3,857 896 4,753
Home science 345 1,720 7,698 9,418
Livestock production/management 269 5,258 1,144 6,402
Plant protection 538 11,624 1,760 13,384
Fishery 37 491 84 575
Seed production 17 620 77 697
Soil fertility management 147 3,424 449 3,873
Agroforestry 46 979 152 1,131
Others 129 1,810 732 2,542
Total 3,751 66,205 18,720 84,925
• KVKs organized 55,355 extension activities to accelerate
dissemination of technologies.
• KVKs produced 53,22.5 tonnes of seeds of cereals, oilseeds,
pulses and vegetables, in addition to 5.22 million sapling/
of fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal plants, ornamental
plants, plantation crops and forest species. KVKs also
produced 23,321,176 livestock strains.
• KVKs (129) started publication of quarterly newsletters in
local languages as well as in English and Hindi.
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, REFINEMENT AND TRANSFER
159
extension personnel, 1,584 training programmes were sponsored
by various organizations covering 83,688 participants. The
organizations which sponsored such training programmes include
NABARD, DRDA, CAPART, ATMA, DBT, DST, State Department of
Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Women and Child welfare and
Horticulture.
Extension Activities
The KVKs organized 55,355 extension activities covering 2.43
million farmers to accelerate dissemination of technologies. The
activities included field days, kisan mela, kisan gosthies, exhibitions,
ex-trainees sammelan, advisory service, film shows, diagnostic
services, clinic centres, farm science clubs and formation of selfhelp
groups (SHGs).
In addition 4,910 newspaper coverage, publication of 1,785
popular articles and 1,281 extension literatures, 63 bulletins and
3,030 radio and TV talks were taken up by the KVKs.
Production of seeds by the KVKs
Crop Seed (tonnes)
Cereals 3,459.15
Oilseeds 643.91
Pulses 630.10
Vegetables 132.47
Spices 38.94
Flowers 9.55
Potato (Tubers) 9.09
Commercial crops 27.11
Fodder 31.52
Greenmanure 12.80
Medicinal 4.99
Other 322.84
Total 5,322.54
Production of Seed/Planting Material
The KVKs produced 5,322.5 tonnes of seeds of cereals, oilseeds,
pulses and vegetables. In addition, 5.22 million saplings/seedlings
of fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal plants, ornamental plants,
plantation crops and forest species were produced. Besides, 23,321,176
livestock strains were also produced for availability to the farmers.
Monitoring Mechanism
During the year, Zonal Workshops (10) were organized with
the participation of all the KVKs to review the work done during
the year and formulation of action plan for the next year.
Similarly, 42 State level workshops were organized in order to
review the frontline demonstrations on oilseeds and pulses. Workshop
(6) were organized under HRD programmes for KVKs staff.
Interface at District Level
To strengthen research-extension linkages the KVKs organized
Extension activities
Activities Number No. of beneficiaries
Advisory services 32,841 127,594
Diagnostic visits 4,654 30,962
Ex-trainee sammelan 112 7,109
Exhibitions 521 1,281,973
Field days 1,916 120,643
Film shows 1,022 57,293
Group discussions 546 12,346
Help line services 11,267 4,079
Kisan gosthies 1,457 124,058
Kisan melas 397 625,138
Seminars 195 14,879
Self-help group meeting 376 20,998
Workshops 51 3,298
Total 55,355 2,430,370
Publications
129 KVKs have started publication of quarterly newsletters in
local languages as well as in English and Hindi for the benefit
of the farming community. These newsletters contain information
on agricultural operations for the coming three months, besides
useful articles on crop production, vegetable cultivation,
horticulture, animal sciences, home science, agricultural
engineering, etc. The newsletters also carry the schedule of
training programmes of the KVK in the ensuing three months
and are widely circulated to the farmers, Gram Panchayats
and line departments.
Production of planting materials by the KVKs
Categories Seedlings/saplings/livestock
strains (No)
Cereals 282,000
Commercial crops 155,000
Vegetables 1,797,736
Fruits 780,532
Ornamentals 218,161
Spices 432,511
Fodder 112,527
Plantation 88,649
Forest tree 958,123
Medicinal 2,705
Biofuel 370,236
Others 26,702
Total 5,224,882
Livestock strain 25,231
Fishery (Fingerlings) 23,295,945
Total 23,321,176
Grand Total 2,846,058
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160
Kisan Club
The KVK in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab formed 9 Kisan Clubs
in different villages with 229 farmers to maintain a continuous
interaction with the farmers. A yearly action plan is prepared
in consultation with the Chief Volunteers of Kisan Clubs, Chief
General Manager and Assistant General Manager of NABARD
and Managers of the concerned banks. NABARD provided a
financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per club per annum. Besides
regular interaction with the club members and the KVK staff in
bimonthly review meetings, the KVK also organized training
programmes, demonstrations, seed replacement campaigns,
educational tours and animal welfare camps, providing
necessary literature to disseminate improved technologies.
222-interface meetings involving the scientist and development
officials at district level.
Literature Developed/Published:The KVKs published 8,269
literatures.
IMPACT OF KVK
Stem Application—A Cost Effective Technology in Cotton
In Andhra Pradesh, cotton is grown in an area of 0.8 million
ha during kharif. Cotton accounts for more than 50% of the total
amount of pesticides used in agriculture. The KVKs in Guntur and
Khammam districts have demonstrated the effectiveness of stem
application of pesticides in cotton. This reduces the pesticide
usage in cotton to control sucking pests (ahpids, jassids, thrips
and whitefly) especially during the initial stages. The technology
has been adopted by 1,935 farmers in Guntur district alone,
covering an area of 1,400 ha, resulting in overall saving of Rs
1.26 million to the farmers. It has also been adopted by 230
farmers in Pinapaka village in Khammam district of Andhra
Pradesh with a saving of Rs 2,250/ha.
Tissue Analysis Based on Nutrient Management
Nutrient management is an important aspect for quality
production of grape and pomegranate at Ahmednagar district
and its export. The KVK provided the facilities for leaf/petiole
analysis for the first time in the district especially for cash crops.
Tissue analysis along with foliar feeding and fertigation through
Demonstration of stem application technique in cotton at KVK, Khamman,
Andhra Pradesh
Tissue analysis in the laboratory at KVK, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
• Stem application of pesticides in cotton reduced pesticide
usage by controlling sucking pests.
• KVK, Ahmednagar provided the facilities for leaf/petiole
analysis for the first time in the district for proper nutrient
management, especially for cash crops. The fertigation and
foliar nutrients management technology has diffused among
the farming community with KVK’s need based intervention.
• Kisan clubs (9) in different villages maintained a continuous
interaction with the farmers.
drip has become a common practice and KVK became the focal
point for commercial fruit growers. The soluble fertigation grades
and the spray grades are made available to the farmers at the
KVK. Annually about 1,000 to 1,200 farmers especially grape and
pomegranate growers of about 500 ha from 7 tehsils of Ahmednagar
district and 3 intensive grape growing tehsils of Nasik district are
benefited. The farmers from these areas adopted the plant tissues
based nutrients management package and produces the export
quality fruits.
Farmers’ clubs played a key role in spreading the technology
among the grape and pomegranate farmers. Initially soluble and
spray grades were available with the KVK only but with the
increase in their demand, most of the agro-service centres are
providing these inputs.
About 70–75% grape and pomegranate growers of Ahmednagar
and adjoining districts now follow the soil and tissue analysis
based nutrient management to get higher yield and better
quality. Tissue analysis based nutrient management is also being
adopted in other crops like vegetables and sugarcane.
Women Self-help Group
A number of KVKs have tried the concept of disseminating
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT, REFINEMENT AND TRANSFER
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appropriate need based technologies through Self-help groups
(SHGs). KVKs (4) in Andhra Pradesh (Chittoor, Karimnagar, East
Godawari and Srikakulam), 7 in Maharashtra (Ahemdnagar,
Amaravathi (Durgapura), Jalna, Satara, Solapur, Thane and Pune)
and 2 KVKs in Assam (Sonitpur and Golaghat) formed a total
number of 1,584 self-help groups with a membership of 16,826
covering 409 villages.
The activities of most of the SHGs include establishment of
various rural enterprises like dairy, backyard poultry, goatry,
production and sale of vermicompost, tailoring, rural crafts, food
processing and production and sale of vegetables. Among all the
enterprises dairying was found to be highly promising. The
average annual earning of a SHG beneficiary from dairying was
found to be Rs 23,000 (Srikakulam, Karimnagar and Pune) to Rs
30,000 (Chittoor and Ahmennagar). Landless women belonging
to SHGs of KVK, Chittoor derived maximum income i.e., 73%
income from dairy. There was 70% increase in participation of
landless women in dairying due to formation of such groups by
KVK, Pune. Small scale food processing and value addition was
also found to be one of the major activities of the SHGs. Food
preservation and processing generated income of Rs 17,000/year
to most of the women belonging to SHGs of Jammikunta and
nearby villages in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The
average annual income from tailoring and garment making
enterprise was Rs 13,000 (Ahemdnagar and Karimnagar)
With the technical assistance of the KVK, SHGs have established
various rural enterprises like dairy (15 groups), backyard poultry
(56 groups), goatry (49 groups), vermicompost unit (32 groups),
tailoring and fabric designing (15 groups), and food processing
and value addition (8 groups).
The KVK has been focusing on the problems of health and
malnutrition of women and children of 2 drought prone villages
(Kadegaon and Warudi) of Jalna, Maharashtra. The KVK has
conducted 33 training programmes on various technologies, viz.
post harvest value addition (anola, mango, sapota, grapes, tomato,
soybean and fingermillet), kitchen gardening, seed treatment,
IPM, INM, vermicomposting, watershed management, grading of
fruits and vegetables, backyard poultry, dairy and hand embroidery.
Some of the packed items such as fruit candy (anola and sapota),
powdered sapota, raisin grapes, tomato ketchup, jams and jellies,
anola supari, cereal and pulse based papads and soybean products
made out of village surplus are in great demand in local markets
of Jalna and nearby areas.
The tribal women belonging to Dhanu and nearby villages of
Thane district of Maharashtra formed 10 SHGs and established 10
vermicompost units under the guidance of KVK, Thane and with
financial assistance of ITDP, Dhanu. There was substantial cost
reduction due to usage of forest-based raw material for running
the units. The average bimonthly income of each unit was found
to be Rs 8,500.
Leader Driven Transfer of Technology
KVK, Gadag (Karnataka) identified representatives of selected
self-help groups and progressive farmers who were closely associated
with different programmes of KVK. Farmers/farmwomen (50)
were selected and special trainings were imparted to them in their
area of expertise and in technology leader concept. These leaders
serve as resource persons for the KVK training programmes as
well as for their self-help groups and fellow farmers of the village.
The advisory services and material provided by these technology
leaders resulted in establishment of 474 units in 72 villages, with
an annual production of 3,700 tonnes of vermicompost. Because
of vermi compost application in 9,000 ha the farmers could save
Rs 800–1,400/ha on fertilizer. The floriculture leaders influenced
10 farmers in 3 villages to cultivate improved varieties and adopt
scientific methods of post harvest handling and marketing. Now
the area under floriculture has increased to 13 ha in four villages,
providing an additional income of Rs 10,000–15,000/ha.
‘aAqua’—A Dynamic and Interactive IT Portal
KVK in Pune district of Maharashtra and IIT, Mumbai, developed
a web based interactive portal called ‘aAqua’ (almost all questions
answered) for the benefit of the farmers, which can be accessed
and viewed on http://aaqua.persistent.co.in/aaqua/forum/index.
The main features are bi-lingual (both English and Marathi),
• With the assistance of the KVK, SHGs have established
various rural enterprises like dairy (15 groups), backyard
poultry (56 groups), goatry (49 groups), vermicompost unit
(32 groups), training and fabric designing (15 groups),
and food processing an value addition (8 groups).
• A web based interactive portal called ‘aAqua’ was developed
by KVK in Pune district of Maharashtra and IIT, Mumbai
• KVK, Pune, Maharashtra in collaboration with Vidya
Partisthan Institute of Information Technology at Baramati
started FM community radio dedicated to agriculture.
Vermicomposting
It is emerging as an important source in supplementing chemical
fertilizers in agriculture. In 2002, KVK in Bharuch district (Gujarat)
provided worms to 13 farmers to start their vermicompost units.
There was a constant follow up by the KVK for proper adoption of
the technology by the farmers. It was observed that by 2004 all the
farmers in village Chikolta started vermicompost production by
2004. The efforts of KVK Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) to promote
vermicomposting resulted in establishment of 4 units with improved
race of Red American worms in 2003 and the technology was
extended to 115 FIGs and WIGs (Farmer interest and Woman
interest groups).
DARE/ICAR ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006
162
question and answer archives, and decision support by plant
pathologist to identify crop diseases and crop-wise recommendations
by State Agricultural Universities of Maharashtra. So far, the
portal has answered 2,737 queries covering 1,145 topics and at
present there are 714 registered users. It has received Gold award
of Digital Foundation Empowerment, New Delhi for best e-content
development for the year 2005.
FM Community Radio Dedicated to Agriculture
The KVK, Pune in collaboration with Vidya Pratishthan Institute
of Information Technology at Baramati, started FM (Frequency
Modulation) community radio dedicated to agriculture on 29
March, 2005. The major aspects are market information, day-today
field operation of important crops and major enterprises,
information on daily weather, daily serial reading of a book on
agriculture, answering farmers questions by subject-matter
specialists, farmers school on radio, i.e. a serial on a crop or
enterprise, disease forecasting, interviewing a progressive farmer,
a slot for subject matter specialist of State Agricultural University
or other research institute. KVK is shouldering the responsibility
of content generation, while Vidya Pratishthan’s Institute of
Information Technology is responsible for the transmission.
‘Own Your Seed’—An Intervention by KVK, Guntur
The KVK, Guntur, initiated seed production activity including
the latest and high yielding varieties of major crops like rice,
blackgram, greengram and groundnut in its instructional farm
since 1992–93. KVK promoted the concept of ‘Own your Seed’ and
• KVK, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra standardized the technology
for production of commercial products of Spirulina like
Vaseline and face pack.
• KVK, Mandubar, developed audio-visual material (CD) in
tribal dialect.
• Farmers’ field school are being conducted since 1994–95
or paddy, groundnut and cotton.
‘Farmer to Farmer’ net work by conducting 15 training programmes
and 35 demonstrations which has benefited 612 farmers since
1993–94. Due to sustained efforts by KVK, the total seed production
at KVK farm was 865 tonnes, which include rice (687.10), blackgram
(116.9), greengram (39.4), groundnut (13.6), and other crops.
The intense activity of KVK also resulted in a total production of
298 tonnes of quality seed of rice (196.97), blackgram (40.8) and
groundnut (60.6) by 150 farmers. KVK has established a seedprocessing
unit at its campus with financial assistance of ICAR
for the benefit of the farmers in Guntur district.
Educational Material in Tribal Dialect
To enhance the control of the hairy caterpillar in groundnut
Spirulina for Balance Diet and Employment Generation
Spirulina, blue green algae, is a good protein supplement with
medicinal value. It took 3 years for KVK, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
to standardize its production technology. It has also standardized the
procedure for production of commercial products of spirulina like
spirulina vaseline (used for wound healing, cuts, sore feet and dry
lips) and spirulina face pack (used for smooth skin, to remove black
spots and for anti aging property). After successful development of
technology, KVK started a demonstration unit for rural/family based
spirulina production unit and commercial raceway tank. The benefits
of spirulina were publicised through newspaper, magazine, television,
etc. which helped in creating its awareness among both the rural and
urban population. Mass media also helped in developing market
linkages. Based on the encouraging feedback KVK is now planning
to enrich different food items and health drinks with spirulina besides
helping to establish more spirulina units.
Farmers’ Field School (FFS)
The schools are being conducted by the Department of Agriculture,
Government of Pondicherry, since 1994–95 for paddy, groundnut
and cotton. During 1994–95 to 2003–04, 158 Farmers Field
Schools were conducted on various crops for 4,740 farmers of
Pondicherry region.
As a result of FFSs, 3,420 paddy farmers used 3,725 cc of
T.Japonicum against paddy stem borer, 11,528 cc of T.chilonis to
control paddy leaf folder and 13,285 kg of P.flourescens against
paddy blast, sheath blight, sheath rot and bacterial leaf blight.
Continuous use of biocontrol agents and biopesticides helped not
only to protect the crop from the targeted pests but also to conserve
the natural enemies of these pests, which led to reduced occurrence
of pests and diseases (sheath rot and bacterial blight incidence
reduced from 25% in 1998 to only 5% in 2003). With the adoption
of IPM, paddy farmers are now able to earn a net income of Rs
16,875/ha, which is Rs 5,688 more than their income before they
adopted the IPM package. Pesticides consumption in Pondicherry has
come down significantly from 135 tonnes in 1994–95 to 46.95
tonnes in 2003–04, accounting for more than 65% reduction. The
reduced demand for pesticides, led to closure of about 30% of
pesticide outlets in the district (209 in 1996–97 to 130 in 2003–04).
by the tribal farmers, the KVK developed audio-visual educational
material (CD) in tribal dialect, which evoked good response from
both farmers and the agricultural department personnel.
Spirulina production for employment generation (rectangular family based
production) at KVK, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
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