Dryland Despair to Hope: Constraints and Suggestions Expressed by Groundnut Growers in Central Dry Zone of Karnataka, India

Abstract

Groundnut is the most important crop among the oilseed crops grown in the country. Groundnut is considered as the world’s fourth largest source of edible oil and third most important source of vegetable protein. It is also a major oilseed legume crop in India and meets about 30 per cent of the edible oil requirements in the country. Present study was conducted in Chitradurga district of Karnataka state. 60 groundnut growers were selected among them 30 small farm growers and 30 big farm growers were selected randomly. The data were collected through interview schedule. Results indicates that high wage rates, uneven distribution of rainfall, disease and pest incidence, price fluctuation and non-availability of quality inputs like seeds fertilizers and seeds at right time with mean score of 3.00 were major constraints faced by small and big farm groundnut growers and also groundnut growers expressed some suggestions like provide seeds and fertilizer at reasonable cost and at a right time, soil and water conservation technologies, incentives and subsidies for inputs and providing minimum support prices for the produce.