Yield Gap and Impact Analysis of Groundnut Cultivation Through Front Line in Chandel District, Manipur

Background: One of the most important oil seed crops grown in India is Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). It is abundant in energy, minerals and vitamins. It is a significant food legume and oilseed crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions of India that is used in various forms and aids in the reduction of malnutrition. Even if groundnut cultivation is not customary in the North Eastern Region of India, more groundnuts must be produced there to provide food security and nutrition. The crop has been newly introduced for cultivation in Manipur and found successful as rainfed crop during kharif season and has got very high yield potential. The technical gap is a major barrier to increasing groundnut output in Chandel district, Manipur State. Frontline demonstration (FLD), is one of the most significant and effective methods for technology transfer. By using the newest technologies, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra Chandel’s interventions aim to boost productivity and production. Methods: The present front-line demonstration was carried out by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chandel, ICAR-Manipur Centre to find out yield gaps and it impact between demonstration practices under Front Line Demonstration and farmer’s practice of kharif groundnut in 22 hectares of land with 54 numbers of demonstrations in different villages during 2018 to 2022, respectively. Prior to the demonstrations, a survey was conducted to collect the data on groundnut farming methods and based on survey data selection of farmers was done and improved technology for cultivation of groundnut was demonstrated. Result: The results of the frontline demonstrations indicated that average seed yield of groundnut in Demonstration practices ranged between 18.10 q/ha to 24.45 q/ha whereas in Farmers practices it was 10.55 q/ha to 13.80 q/ha during demonstrated years. The per cent increased in yield with Demonstration practices over Farmer Practices was ranged between 41.71% to 43.56 %. The technological or Yield Gap ranges from 5.55 q/ha to 11.90 q/ha and extension gap were from 7.55 q/ha to 10.65 q/ha respectively. Similarly, technological index decreased from 39.67% to 18.50% during the study period. The benefit cost ratio was in the range of 2.81:1 to 3.94:1 under demonstrations, while it was 1.67:1 to 2.30:1 under farmer practices. By conducting front line demonstration on improved practices with High Yielding Verities of proven technologies in farmer’s field can reduce the yield/technology Gap to a considerable extent and thus yield potential of groundnut enhanced to a great extent which increased in the income level of farmers and improved livelihood of farming community in the region by reducing the technology gaps.