Dillip Kumar Rath

Groundnut cultivation has a very good potential in tribal district of Koraput. Under Focus Area Development Programme (FADP) of ITDA, Joypore, tribal farmers are being encouraged to go for groundnut cultivation with the facilitation of NGOs, like CYSD.

Groundnut is an early season crop which means slightest sight of rain is needed to plant. Groundnut seeds are normally sown when the soil is not soggy as the crop does not do well in waterlogged soil. To prevent soil bacteria and fungi, certified disease free seeds should be used. If seeds from the last season is used, we have to ensure that the seeds are stored in their pods and only shelled a few days before plantation. We have to shell the pods 1-2 weeks before sowing and to select only good quality seed for sowing. Land need to be ploughed and harrowed to a fine condition. Cultivation spacing depends on the variety. Small types of seed are spaced at 30cm between rows and 15cm between plants. This has a plant population of 70400 per acres. The big types of seeds are spaced at 45cm between rows and 20cm between plants; this has a plant population of 35600 per acres. The seeds are planted in two rows on the top of the ridge. It is necessary to select clean and well formed seeds for planting. Normally, seeds are sown to a depth of 5-8cm at a seed rate of 50 kg per acre.

Following the above process, CYSD facilitated a total of  225 poor tribal farmers in 12 villages of 3 Gram Panchayats (GPs) namely, Chandrapada, Bodaput and Dasmantapur in  Baipariguda Block to cultivate groundnut in 225 acres of their land between last week of January and first of February this year under FADP. The beneficiaries were supplied with input support of 112.50 quintal seeds (Verieti-AK12-24 of 90-100 days duration), 450 kg of bio-fertilizer (Necter) and 112 ltrs pesticide (Nemoline).

Before the monsoon break, the groundnut growers have finished the harvesting of groundnuts and it is observed that the farmers have produced 5 quintal to 7 quintals per acre and selling the groundnuts @ Rs.4500 per quintal.