Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat

Project background
Groundnut is one of the largest oilseed crops in India. In 2007/08, it was grown in 6.29 million hectares
with a total production of 9.18 million MT and it contributed 36% to the total oilseed production in
the country. It is cultivated primarily in the semi-arid tropical regions of the country under rainfed
conditions during the main rainy season (Jun/Jul – Oct/Nov); 80.2% of groundnut area is rainfed and the
remaining 19.8% of area is irrigated mainly in the post-rainy season. It has large concentrations in the
states of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Being a rain-fed crop, its yield is largely
determined by the quantum and temporal distribution of rainfall.
Although India is the second largest producer of groundnuts after China, the average groundnut yields,
1,459 kg per ha, in the country are far below the yields realized in many other countries such as
USA, China, Argentina, Indonesia and Vietnam. These low yields are due to a number of biotic and
abiotic constraints, including farmers’ lack of access to quality seed and other inputs and improved
technologies and information, and frequent droughts and attacks by insect pests and diseases. There
exists an enormous potential to improve the groundnut yields in the country through adoption of varietal
technology by the farmers and quality seed supply.
Project sites
Tamil Nadu
Groundnut constitutes 81% of the area and 91% of the production of total area under oilseeds in this
state. It is grown in an area of 413,000 ha with production of 896,000 MT. The productivity of 2169 kg
per ha is good even though it is predominantly grown as rainfed crop (62%) in the state. The groundnut
area in the state was highest during 1992-93 with 1.188 million ha and it gradually declined to about
500,000 to 600,000 ha during the last 10 years. The reason for the decline in area is mainly due to the
switch over to other more profitable crops like maize. The import of much cheaper oil like palm oil
and the consequent price fluctuation is also another important reason for the decline in area. However,
there is a potential to increase the area to 900,000 ha.
Popular varieties cultivated in Tamil Nadu
The varieties cultivated before the inception of project TL II include TMV 7, an old variety released in
1967 and preferred among the farmers for its taste. The other varieties include, VRI 2 and VRI 3, both
are two decade old varieties, Co Gn 4 is released in 2001, and TMV Gn 13 released in 2006. Although
TMV Gn 13 is the most recent release it is poor yielder.
Strategies for improving groundnut production and productivity in Tamil Nadu
1. Quality seeds of improved varieties to be made available in time;
2. Promoting mechanised cultivation due to acute labour scarcity, for which suitable machinery
needs to be introduced for cultivation and harvesting;
3. Adoption of integrated nutrient management practices, optimum use of NPK and micronutrients
needs to be addressed; and
4. Adoption of integrated pest management practices.
Karnataka
The groundnut area in Karnataka has declined significantly from 1.18 million ha in 1998 to around
0.8 m ha in 2008. The productivity in the state is very low at 652 kg per ha compared to the national
average of about 1459 kg ha per ha in 2008. It is interesting to note that the productivity levels in the
state hover around 600-700 kg per ha since the 1970’s, which is cause of serious concern in this state
warranting immediate interventions to increase the productivity of the crop to arrest further decline
in groundnut area. In this state, about 42% of groundnut area is rainfed and contributes to 21% of
production.
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Engaging Smallholder Farmers | Tropical Legumes II Project