• Problem: No soil testing, Improper nutrient management and high cost of fertilizers
• Characteristics of technology: Application of fertilizers based on soil test results helps to get more yields per unit area with reduced cost of cultivation.
• KVK interventions: Conducted 20 soil health campaigns in different villages of Davanagere district. Over 3000 soil health cards were being distributed every year.

• Problem: Maize is the maize crop of the district under rainfed farming. But from last 5 years due to gambling of the monsoon rains, drastic reduction in the loss of the yield. Due to sole crop the yield reduction is mainly due to moisture stress at critical stages of the crop like Vegetative stage, grain filling stage etc. During the last year due to severe infestation of the Army worm there was complete damage of the crops.
• Source of Technology: University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
• Characteristic of technology: Redgram (BRG-2) medium duration, Drought tolerant and dual purpose variety. Paired row is best suited for dry land farming to harvest the rainwater between the redgram rows by opening of the dead furrow.
• Area Coverage: Intervention with KVK through frontline demonstrations in different villages like Hallikere, Siddanuru, Mayakonda. Now these Redgram (BRG-2) is available in Raitha Samparka Kendras of Davanagere District.
• Yield Advantage and Benefit cost Ratio: Maize + Redgram (6:2 and 6:1) had yielded better compared with the sole crops

* 2017-18 Army worm infestation in Maize as reduced the yield level upto

90%.

• Problem: Maize is the maize crop of the district under rainfed farming. There were no rains and especially there will be dry spell after the August month. During the last year due to severe infestation of the Army worm there was complete damage of the crops. There were no alternate crops for the Maize which would more remunerative and short duration.
• Source of Technology: University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Dharwad.
• Characteristic of technology: Seed treatment with Trichoderma @4g/kg of seed, Maintenance of plant population, Spraying of Micronutrients spray (Boron @ 0.1 %) and Macronutrients (KNO₃).
• KVK interventions: NMOOP- Frontline demonstrations, trainings during 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Table showing the comparison of Sunflower with Maize

• Yield Advantage and Benefit cost Ratio: Sunflower is more advantageous than Maize in many aspects like it is short duration, No pest and diseases problem and it will be marketed once harvested. Next crop can be taken once we harvest.
• Output: Intervention with KVK through frontline demonstrations under NMOOP in different villages like of Myduru and Yellapura of Harapnahalli taluk. Farmers in these area nearly 100 ha of sunflower is practicing the micronutrient spray to reduce then chaffiness in sunflower.

• Problem: Chickpea is crop taken after the harvest of the kharif Maize crop. With the residual moisture farmers will go for sowing the low yielding varieties, No proper nutrient management and No IPM measures lead to low yield. No alternative and better crops for the paddy fallows in command areas
• Source of Technology: University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Raichur
• KVK interventions: Frontline demonstrations under NFSM in different villages of kadabagere, Hunsehalli and Myduru of Harapnahalli taluk and Thyavanagi of channagiri taluk. Seed treatment with Trichoderma @4g/kg of seed, Use of High yielding variety Bengal gram (JAKI 9218), Spraying of Chickpea Magic @ 5g/l of water, Installation of Pheromone traps for pod borer monitoring.
• Yield Advantage and Benefit cost Ratio Its yields better compared with check where the local variety seeds and no INM and IPM practices followed.

• Impact: Farmers in these area nearly 100 ha of Bengal gram is practicing the spraying of Micronutrient and Macronutrient at right time of crop.

• Problem: Non availability of skilled labourers for transplanting Higher cost of production and improper water management.
• Source of Technology: University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
• KVK interventions: Frontline demonstration, trainings, raising of seedlings in portrays, Mechanized Transplanting, Integrated weed management.

 Yield Advantage and Benefit cost Ratio: The Demonstration conducted for 3 years and clearly we say that cost of reduction and water can be saved if we go for complete mechanization.

• Problem: Foxtail millet is grown in the larger area where the varieties are low yielders.
• Source of Technology: University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and Raichur
• Characteristic of technology: Use of High yielding variety Foxtail millet (SiA-2644 and DhFt-103-5) are suitable for late kharif and drought tolerant.
• KVK interventions: On Farm Testing for assessment of high yielding varieties SIA-2644 and DhFt-103-5. Seed treatment with bio fertilizers (Azosprillium and PSB @ 1kg/acre), with different varieties in villages of Bennehalli and Hunsehalli of Harapnahalli taluk.
• Yield Advantage and Benefit Ratio: Its yields better compared with check where the local variety seeds and no INM and IPM practices were followed. The three Varieties were tested in the farmers’ fields and found that SIA-2644 and DhFt varieties performed better than the HMT-100-1 during the late sown condition.

Impact: SIA-2644 variety of foxtail millet is adopted in 50 ha in these two trial villages.

• Problem: Lower productivity in Banana due to lower plant population and poor nutrition management
• Source of technology : NRC on Banana, Trichy
• Characteristics of technology: This technology was demonstrated in 4 x 4 x 7 feet paired row planting of Banana which accommodated 4080 plants per acre.
• KVK interventions: KVK has conducted demonstration in 3 farmer’s field in grandnaine variety of Banana. Use of Banana special and IPDM practices were given to farmers on regular basis. Banana special was supplied through our KVK.
• Achievements: This technology was practiced by more than 50 farmers in the district with an area coverage of 65 ha. Also by practicing this technology productivity per unit area was increased to more than 30 percent.

• Problem: Non availability of good quality seeds in Onion hinders the productivity level in onion. Local Varieties are more susceptible to purple blotch and sucking pests.   
• Source of technology : AICRP on Onion, RC, Hiriyur
• Characteristics of technology: Bhima Super variety is a Red onion type suitable for Kharif and late kharif. Duration of 100-120 days it gives yield upto 40-45 ton/ha
• KVK interventions: KVK has conducted demonstration in 10 farmers field at Rameshwara, Nyamathi Hobli. Given all the package of practices including seed treatment, use of yellow sticky traps and IPDM measures. KVK also facilitated the seed production with the help of FPO.
• Yield and BC ratio

• Problem: Lower productivity in Mango due to improper canopy management in the orchards. Dead and diseased branches, crisscross branches found to be more problematic in Mango
• Source of technology : Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru
• Characteristics of technology: Removal of dead, diseased , crisscrossed and unproductive branches enable us to provide proper nutrition and sunlight for the productive branches which intern increases the productivity
• KVK interventions: KVK has conducted demonstration in 10 farmers field in Doddabbigere village of Channagiri  Method demonstration was done in all the plots. Use of mango special was introduced.
• Achievements: This technology was practiced by more than 100 farmers in the district with an area coverage of 265 ha. Also by practicing this technology productivity per unit area was increased by more than 20 percent.

• Problem: Lower productivity in Arecanut due to lower fertility status of the soil. Farmers are not able to apply required quantity of organic inputs.
• Source of technology : University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot
• Characteristics of technology: Use of Green manure crops in Arecanut increases the soil Physical, Chemical and Biological characteristics. By using green manure twice every year in Arecanut garden will helps to reduce the weed menace and also reduce the dependency on use of chemical fertilizers.
• KVK interventions: This technology demonstrated through FLD in four years for more than 40 farmers covering an area of 20 ha. Series of Guest lecturers has been given on Use of green manure crops. Supply of Velvet beans as a source of green manure from KVK to farmers. In convergence mode now green manure seeds were distributed to farmers through Raitha Samparka Kendras. 
• Achievements: This technology was practiced by more than 500 farmers in the district with an area coverage of 6500 ha. Also by practicing this technology productivity per unit area was increased to more than 20% and consumption of chemical fertilizers was brought down to 10%.

• Problem: Lower productivity in Arecanut due to occurrence of pest and Diseases. Even the variation in price leads to less profitability among the Arecanut growers. No intercropping followed in Arecanut gardens..
• Source of technology : University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot
• Characteristics of technology: By growing pepper as intercrop in more than Ten year old gardens will facilitate in increasing the total net profit of the garden. Even the price fall in Arecanut can be compensated by the intercrop.
• KVK interventions: This technology was given to farmers on Advisory mode for more than 750 farmers in the district. Quality seedlings of Panniyur verities were supplied through our KVK nursery. Use of Bio fertilizers like Trichoderma, Pseudomonas and Arka Microbial consortium was demonstrated to Farmers
• Achievements: More than 350 ha area in pepper was established in last two years. Yielding gardens were increased their potential from 1 kg to 3 kg/plant.

• Problem: Erratic rainfall, reduction in the crop yield, Moisture stress at critical stages of crop growth and Soil erosion
• Source of Technology: CRIDA, Hyderabad and UAS, Bangalore
• Characteristic of technology: To harvest the rainwater which is runoff from the farmers field with farm pond size of 10m X 10m X 3m.
• KVK interventions: Intervention with KVK through NICRA project in Siddanuru. Now the Farm pond in the village are 40. The farmers in convergence with department of Agriculture the number of farm ponds are increasing in and around the NICRA village.
• Yield Advantage and Benefit Ratio: If there were good rains in the month of May, June and July one can harvest the rainwater in the farm pond. This water can be used in critical stages of the field crops like maize, Redgram, Finger millet, Cotton and fodder crops during the moisture stress or dry spells in the month of July, August and September. There is clear difference in the yield with farmer having a farm pond and without.

               Rainfall Details: 2016-17

• Two Protective Irrigation:

Sowing Date: 24-06-2016

• First irrigation August 1^st week (40 DAS)- Early Vegetative stage
• Second Irrigation 19-8-2016- 75 DAS- Tasseling stage and Silking stage
• Yield Data of the Maize crop

• Impact: during 2017-18, farmers with farm pond utilized the collected rain water for critical irrigation in maize, redgram and finger millet.

• Problem: Dairy animals are suffering from shortage of good quality fodders resulting in low production and increased cost of milk production.
• Source of Technology : TNAU, Coimbatore
• Technology Demonstrated: Cultivation of multicut fodder sorghum (CoFS-29) under Fodder Cafeteria.
• Characteristics of the Technology: Multicut fodder (5-6 cuttings), Nutritious (good quantity of crude protein, crude fiber & ether extract), highly palatable, good yielding, No anti-nutritional factors (oxalates), drought tolerant & etc.
• Achievements: Area coverage: More than 50 ha. Yield Advantage: 18- 20 t/ cut.
• Economic Benefits: Feeding this fodder reduces feeding cost by 30 per cent in dairy animals.

• Problem: Lack of awareness on timely Insemination, Non-availability of good quality germplasm for improving the genetic potentiality of crossbred dairy animals. Maintenance of good quality bull is costlier.
• Source of Technology: KVA & FSU, Bidar.
• Characteristics of Technology: Easy to carry to any place, including hilly tracts; Semen of superior quality germplasm stored in liquid nitrogen will be used and timely Insemination.
• Achievements:

1. Area Coverage: 15-20 villages in and around Davanagere. Monthly average Inseminations done will be around 250 numbers.
2. Conception Rate: More than 45 %.
3. Economic benefits: Timely conception saved around Rs. 4500/-/ month / animal.

• Problem: Meeting the dry matter requirements is very important in balanced feeding of Livestock. In the District there is a shortage of around 30-40 % dry fodder annually. Lot of dry fodder (around 50 %) is wasted daily due to poor palatability and digestibility resulting in poor health & economic loss to dairy farmers.
• Source of Technology: KVA &FSU, Bidar.
• Characteristics of Technology: Use of minerals (Brolayatone 1 ml / kg), enzymes (Enzymex powder. 4-5 g/ Kg) and critical nutrient Nitrogen (10 g urea/kg) in the form of sprays to poor quality dry roughages will help in improving the digestibility and palatability of poor quality dry roughages.
• Achievements:

1. Area Coverage: 100 farmers in the district are practicing this technology (12 villages).
2. Yield Advantages: Feeding enriched dry fodders helps in meeting the nutrient requirement of dairy animals at lesser cost (reduces feeding cost by 15%).
3. Economic benefits: Feeding enriched dry fodder has increased the milk production by 10% and reduced the feeding cost by 15%.

• Problem: Irregular sizes of fingerlings and inadequate stocking number with least management practices have resulted in fish yield < 600 kg/ha in village tanks which hinder the farmers interest besides longer duration of production.
• Source of technology : KVAFSU- Bidar, UAS-Bengaluru and progressive farmers of Andhra Pradesh
• Characteristics of technology: Higher stocking density, Bigger size of fingerlings, Better feed management, Good market price, Continuous harvesting and stocking in tandem
• KVK interventions: Technology assessments, Frontline demonstrations, trainings with introduction of new species for culture, innovative approaches in feed management have helped in increasing the aquaculture area from 5 ha to 85 ha during the past 8 years.
• Achievements: Yields have increased from 5 t /ha to 20 t/ha. Species like major carps and Pangasius have taken dominant share in production. Farmers have learnt to maintain smaller ponds along with bigger ponds for rearing fish fingerlings to larger size and then stock which help in better survivality and C:B is 1:3

• Initiated WhatsApp group ‘ICAR-TARALABALU KVK’ with 425 participants including farmers, KVK scientists, extension personnel from development departments and ATMA project.
• Farmers can get real time information on agricultural development and solutions to their problems.
• Saves time and resources.

• Problem:.The productivity of the rice is decreasing year after year whereas the consumption of chemical fertilizers is going up in upper tunga project area. Less utilization of organic manures, inappropriate fertilizer management, injudicious use of water, intensive farming etc are the associated causes for low productivity.
• Characteristics of technology: Growing pulse after cereal crop is well known practice in maintaining soil health. Black gram is the short duration (<90 days), less water requiring variety suitable for cultivating in summer season (Jan-April).
• KVK interventions: ICAR- Taralabalu KVK had taken demonstration on blackgram production under NFSM project at four cluster villages namely Bijogatti, Kuruva, Govinakovi and Haralahalli of Honnali taluk, Davangere district in view of improving soil fertility and to generate additional income to the farmers. Demonstrated with 25 farmers in 10 hectare during 2016-17 and 39 farmers in 20 hectare during 2017-18 in collaboration with Department of Agriculture.
• Yield and Output: The average yield of 6.2 q/ha was recorded in demonstrated plots. Blackgram cultivation not only provided extra income but also helped farmers enrich soil nutrition. About 25% (30 ha) of paddy farmers in Bijogatte village started growing pulses in summer during 2017-18 without the help of any organization.
• Economic benefit: With little expenses, the farmers got average net income of Rs.15,395/- per hectare with blackgram.

• ‘Sri Banashankari Self Help Group (10 members), Nittur, Harihara taluk, Davanagere district was trained in ‘Value addition in miner millets’ by KVK in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Davanagere.
• The SHG is producing Energy mix, Children special, Ginger Chutney, Millet papads, Dry fruits laddu, Millet Roti, Chutney powder, Finger millet vermicelli. The products have been branded under the brand name ‘Tadvanam’ with FASSI registration.
• Marketing through Sahaja Samrudha, Bengaluru, Saturday organic Bazaar in ICAR-Taralabalu KVK, Davanagere and participation in Krishi mela organized by Universities and other organizations.
• The SHG is earning on an average 1.20 lakhs net profit since 2014.

• Organised 6 day trainings for 280 unemployed rural youth in the district on ‘Coconut tree climbing and Plant protection’ under the scheme ‘Friends of Coconut Tree’ (FOCT) sponsored by Coconut Development Board.
• The youth were provided tree climbing machine.
• The average trees climbed by youth has been increased from 12 to 35 trees/day and average earnings increased from Rs. 2,450/- to Rs. 6,900/- per month after the training.
• For the livelihood security of unemployed rural youth the trainings helped to increase the ‘coconut tree climbing as main occupation’ from 29.28% to 65.71% after trainings.

• Problem: Non availability of fresh vegetables in the diet leading to lot of health problems in the urban population. So the immunity power of the humans was deteriorated leading to hazardous diseases in the adult age.
• Source of technology : University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot and Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru
• Characteristics of technology: Demonstration of the different vegetable crops in pots and following the staggered sowing in the Terrace. Practicing the whole production in organic way.
• KVK interventions: Given more than 25 training programmes on terrace gardening covering around 2000 families in the urban population of Davanagere. Also provided the critical inputs like quality seedlings, vegetable seeds and vermicompost through our KVK.
• Achievements: So far more than 40 percent of the trained families are practicing the Terrace gardening and also they are getting the fresh vegetables for their diet. It also helped the families to keep the surroundings clean and hygienic.