Chamarajanagara district have Geographical area - 5,648 km2, situated in the Southern dry zone (Zone 6) of the state, average annual rainfall of 730 mm and its distribution is more during May-June and September- October months. Highest temperature (380C) and lowest temperature (80-120C) is experienced during April and December-January months, respectively.

The district has diversified soil types and among them, red loam (81,340 ha), red sandy loam (27,500 ha) and medium black (91,181 ha) soils are prominent. District is mainly characterized by semi- arid rain-dependent flat-lands along with forested hills. Crops are mainly grown under rainfed situation (up to 65%) and 35% of the cultivable land is under irrigated condition. The major source of irrigation is canal, dams and pumpsets.

The cultivable area is 2,48,211 ha, out of which 97,832 ha (39.41%) is irrigated by various sources, and the remaining 1,50,379 ha (60.59%) is under rainfed conditions. The land holding pattern indicates small and marginal farmers account for 89.79% of the total land holdings, with 65.21% of total land in the district. Semi-medium farmers account for 8.66% of the total land holdings, or 23.60% of the total land in the district. 1.73% of the farmers holding above 4 hectares account for 11.17% of land. The average size of land holdings is 0.94 hectares, as against the state average of 1.36 hectares. Large area are under commercial crops viz., Coconut (12,569 ha), Turmeric (9750 ha), Banana (20,696 ha), Cotton (10,091 ha) and Sugar cane (6620 ha). Bestowed with minor forest products viz., Honey, Gums and resins, soap nut, lichens and medicinal plants etc., Nendran is a unique Banana variety cultivated grown in a larger area owing to a good processing value in Kerala and Tamilnadu. Traditional sericulture is the main occupation in areas of Chamarajanagar, Kollegala and Gundlupete taluks. Watermelon and Small onion crops are cultivated irrespective of the season - (Unique production scenario). Other major field crops grown in the district are Paddy, Ragi, Jowar, Maize, Blackgram, Greengram, Horsegram, Bengalgram, Sunflower, Groundnut, Sessamum, etc. Other important vegetable and fruit crops grown are Tomato, Brinjal, Chilly, Small Onion, Potato, Garlic, Beans, Mango, Watermelon, etc.


Demographic Information
The population of the district is 1020791 out of which 512231 are male and 508560 are female. The rural population is 82.9 % and urban population is 17.1 % of the total. There are 100285 marginal workers, 113105 agricultural cultivators, 154285 non-agricultural workers, 214303 agricultural labourers, 14007 household industries workers in the district.

About the KVK
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has established 33 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Karnataka. Out of 33 KVKs, ICAR KVK, Chamarajanagara is one among whose mandate is Technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development. It was started in May 2004, which covers the area of about 17.71 ha.

1. Sector-specific Interventions

1.1 Field Crops
• Introduction of improved paddy varieties (Ganagvathi sona, KRH-4, KMP-220, MSN-99 and RNR-15048) and hybrids (KRH-4).
• Demonstration of drum seeded rice (Paddy) and Integrated crop management practices in paddy.
• Introduction of new varieties of Ragi(KMR-630), Maize (MAH-14-5), Greengram (KKM-03), Blackgram (LBG-791), Chickpea (BGD-103, Jaki-9218), Pigeon pea (BRG-3, BRG-5), Sunflower (KBSH-53, KBSH -78) and field bean (HA-3).
• Adoption of soil and water conservation technologies such as contour bunding, graded bunding, dead furrows and farm ponds to provide protective irrigation.
• Adoption of improved agronomic practices such as nipping and micronutrient application.
• Integrated weed management.
• Integrated nutrient management and soil test based nutrient applications.
• Seed production of Maize hybrid.
• Promotion of improved fodder hybrids such as BNH-10, CO-03, PBN-342, Super napier and multicut fodder like CoFS-29,31.
• Weather based crop management.

1.2 Soil Science
• Management of Paddy in problematic soil through introduction of salt tolerant paddy variety Gangavathi Sona and problematic soil management practices.
• Enhancing Banana productivity and quality in Chamarajanagara district through demonstrations on integrated nutrient management in banana, especially micronutrient management (IIHR Banana Special) and strengthening FPOs through arranging the sales of the micronutrient mixture to match the demand.
• Quality vegetable production in Chamarajanagara district through integrated nutrient management practices - introduction of IIHR Vegetable Special, a micronutrient mixture.
• Scientific management of Sugarcane trash for enhancing the soil properties for recycling of organic resource and for better soil health and fertility.

1.3 Horticultural Crops
• Introduction of improved varieties of Turmeric viz,. IISR Prathibha and IISR Alleppy Supreme, Mechanization in harvesting and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices.
• Introduction of Short duration turmeric variety IISR Pragathi and Turmeric Booster for enhancing the yield and quality.
• Micronutrient management of horticulture crops through popularization of Banana special, vegetable special and Turmeric Booster.
• Introduction of Seed Propagation of small Onion and Co-05 variety of small onion crop.
• Popularization of Tomato hybrids Arka Rakshak, Arak Samrat and Arka Abedh and ICM Practices.
• Promotion of self employment of rural Youth through FoCT “Friends of Coconut Tree” Skill Oriented training Programmes.
• “Nursery Worker” – Skill Training Programme for self employment.
• Introduction of Turmeric harvester for reduction in drudging and Promotion of hygienic Processing, Marketing and branding in Turmeric.
• Integrated Panama wilt disease management through use of Bio agents.
• Introduction of improved varieties of Potato viz,. Kufri Jyothi and Kufri Himalini and ARC Technology of Potato and ICM practices.
• Integrated nutrient management in garlic.
• Popularization of Rapid multiplication of Turmeric to promote precision farming in turmeric cultivation.

1.4 Plant protection
• In cotton, sucking pest incidence (60-70%) and number of spray (3) was reduced by following IPM practices.
• Demonstration on IPM practices in Bengalgram reduced the number of sprays from 4 to 2 and hence reduced the cost of cultivation.

1.5 Farm and Non-farm enterprises
• Production of fodder varieties CoFS – 29, 31, Co 3, 4, 5.
• Seed production of cereals, pulses, oil seeds and fodder crops.
• Horticultural nursery for seedlings of fruits, plantation and vegetable crops.
• Mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing for cocoon production.
• Value addition to ragi.
• Custom hiring centre and coconut climbing.

1.6 Others
• Plant Health Clinic (PHC) started at KVK during the year 2013-14. Production of bio agents viz., Trichoderma hargenium, Trichoderma viridae and Pseudomonas floresence started in a small scale for demonstration purpose.
• Demonstration of Trichoderma and Pheromone traps.
• Production and marketing of ragi products (2 SHGs), Tamarind products (1 SHG) and masala powders (2 SHGs) and earning good returns.

1.7 Impact on Household Income

Level and change in household income

The average income of farm households, before and after the interventions, more than doubled (2.13 times) between 2016-17 and 2020-21 (Table -1). Income from farm and non-farm enterprises increased fourfold (4.66 times) and from livestock 2.28 times. Horticulture enterprise experienced 2.12 times in income. It proved to be the dominant source of household income with contribution of 73.70 per cent to the additional income.

Income level and change in household income by land class
Farmers from all classes benefitted from the technical interventions (Table -2). The income of the marginal farm households were benefitted relatively more (2.2 times) compared to other classes i.e., 127.9 per cent. Small, Medium and Large farm households were benefitted by 2.1 times increased income, respectively.