KVK(Krishi Vigyan Kendra Chamarajanagara)

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.

Development

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) & 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 & 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 & 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.

Impact on Household Income(Level & 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 & 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.

Total Land with KVK (in ha): 17.71 Ha 1.7. Infrastructural Development
A) Buildings B) Vehicles C) Lab Equipment & AV Aids