Effective Communication modes Increases yield of Groundnut in Rural Agriculture of Kalwan Tahsil of Nashik District, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) is the major edible oilseed crop of India. It accounts for 45% of the area and 55% of the production of total oilseeds in the country. It also accounts for 43% of total oil production in the country. Within the country, Andhra Pradesh ranks second in both area and production. The crop is grown in rainy (85% area), post-rainy (10% area) and summer (5% area) seasons. The rainy season groundnut is generally Rainfed, while post-rainy and summer groundnuts are irrigated. Productivity of the crop is however low, primarily because of its cultivation in marginal and sub-marginal soils under Rainfed conditions subjected to frequent droughts, poor agronomic practices and low levels of input, use of traditional low yielding varieties, incidence of insect pests and diseases. The average yield of Kharip groundnut in India is extremely low, 750 kg/ha, compared to yields at over 3000kg / ha in the developed countries. In this research paper Forty eight farmers were selected from rural Tahsil i.e. Kalwan of Nashik District. All farmers are grouped into four classes A, B, C and D. Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ farmers were supplied Rhizobium biofertilizer packets for seed dressing. Farmers were communicated by seed dressing at homes, at fields, supplied pamphlets, arranging poster show in respective villages. To determine per hectare yield, pods were harvested and weighed separately. The pod yield of treated plots was compared with untreated plots. The pod yield data was recorded, tabulated and statistically analyzed. The pod yield increases by 18 to 21 %, which is stimulatory for Groundnut in Kharif season.