On Farm Testing is to test and evaluate the research findings of Research Stations at the farmer's field and to refine and modify the technologies, if required for better adoption by farmers. It is confirmation of already proven research results under real farming situation. Based on the background information that the farmers do not adopt about 70% of the available technologies and hence it becomes necessary to take up farmer participatory testing of research findings in their own farms. Apart from convincing them it is also given an opportunity to refine or modify the recommendations to suite the requirements of the farmers in a given farming situation. Economically viable, operationally feasible technologies matching with farmers needs are identified to solve the problem faced by them.
The procedure of On-farm research has five steps viz.,
- Diagnosis
- Planning
- Experimentation
- Assessment / Evaluation of results
- Recommendation and diffusion
There is, however, a considerable overlap and feedback among these five steps.
Diagnosis: The diagnostic stage involves collecting and analyzing information in order to design On-farm experiments.
In this steps, an understanding of farmers’ circumstances and practices are made in order to:
i) understand the farming system, and system interaction,
ii) identify possible productivity problems,
iii) begin to develop hypotheses on possible solutions.
Planning: The planning on On-farm research is used to identify experimental factors to be included in on-farm experiments, as well as to suggest other research activities. There are six practical steps for research planning.
- Listing problems
- Ranking problems
- Identifying causes of problems
- Diagram problems and causes
- Listing possible solutions
- Screening possible solutions for feasibility
Experimentation: On-farm experiments are conducted in the fields of representative farmers and to examine a small number of experimental variables. Those experiments may be described and classified in a number of ways, but regardless of classification most of them progress from exploring production problems, to testing possible solutions, and then to verifying recommendations and demonstrating them with farmers.
Assessment: The results of the on-farm experiments should be analyzed carefully. The analysis requires an assessment of farmers’ reactions and opinions. A thorough agronomic interpretation, and careful statistical and economic analysis will be helpful to this stage. The results of the assessment are then used to plan future research and to make recommendations for farmers.
Recommendation and Diffusion: When researchers are confident that they have enough information, they can formulate recommendations and non-recommendations can be released for demonstration on a larger area in the farmers’ fields.
KVK submits the Action Plan for technical intervention to ICAR – ATARI. Based on the approval KVK conducts On Farm Testing in Field Crops, Horticulture Crops, Farm Implements, Enterprises and Livestock in the district.
OFT 2023-24
| S. No | Crop/ Enterprise | Technology to be assessed | No. of trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Horsegram | Assessment on high yielding Horsegram varieties (ATPHG 11 and Paiyur 2) | 5 |
| 2 | Groundnut | Assessment on Groundnut varieties (TCGS 1694 and VRI 9) for higher productivity in Krishnagiri district | 3 |
| 3 | Blackgram | Assessment on suitable MYMV resistant Blackgram varieties (VBN 11 and LBG 884) for higher productivity in Krishnagiri district | 3 |
| 4 | Paddy | Assessment on suitable Blast resistant paddy varieties (CO 55 and RNR 15048) for higher productivity in Krishnagiri tract | 5 |
| 5 | Jasmine | Assessment of Jasmine species for yield and market preference | 3 |
| 6 | Banana | Assessment of banana cultivars for higher yield | 3 |
| 7 | Mango | Suitability of Cover crop in mango orchards of Krishnagiri District | 5 |
| 8 | Paddy | Assessment of TNAU Rice Reap for higher yield in Paddy | 5 |
| 9 | Paddy | Assessment on Performance of Zinc solubilizing bacterial cultures in Paddy | 5 |
| 10 | Horsegram | Assessment on Performance of Foliar nutrition to enhance the yield in Horsegram | 5 |
| 11 | Tomato | Assessment on Foliar spray of TNAU Multi Micronutrients to increase the yield in Tomato | 5 |
| 12 | Mango | Assessment of Fruit Fly Trapping Technology in Mango growing areas in Krishnagiri District | 5 |
| 13 | Tomato | Assessment of IPM modules against Tomato pinworm | 5 |
| 14 | Mango | Assessment of bacterial bio inoculant against mango anthracnose | 5 |
| 15 | Dairy Cattle | Assessment of Nano Methicone Spray for control of Ectoparasite infestation in dairy cattle | 5 |
| 16 | Dairy Cattle | Assessment on the effectiveness of different herbal anthelmintics in Small ruminants | 5 |
| 17 | Goat | Assessment on the performance of Milk replacer for enhancing growth in Goat kids | 3 |
| 18 | Dairy Cows | Assessment of Phyto-supplement ‘OmeB‘ for Milk fat modulation in crossbred dairy cows | 5 |
| 19 | Nutri Drink | Assessment of different types of herbal powder incorporated instant nutri-drink | 5 |
OFT 2022-23
| S. No | Crop/ Enterprise | Technology to be assessed | No. of trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redgram | Assessment of Redgram varieties for higher productivity | 5 |
| 2 | Sorghum | Assessment of dual purpose sorghum varieties for higher productivity | 5 |
| 3 | Tomato | Assessment of high yielding hybrids resistant to leaf curl virus, leaf blight and wilt in Tomato |
5 |
| 4 | Tomato | Assessment on Efficiency of Bio-consortia (CSR Grow sure) in enhancing the yield in Tomato |
5 |
| 5 | Paddy | Assessment on Performance of different microbial consortia in Paddy | 5 |
| 6 | Tuberose | Assessment of ICM Practices in Tuberose | 5 |
| 7 | Mango | Assessment of technology modules against mango fruit borer Citripestis eutraphera (Meyrick) (Pyralidae: Lepidopteara) |
5 |
| 8 | Redgram | Assessment of Technology modules against Red gram Sterility Mosaic virus | 5 |
| 9 | Livestock | Assessment of AFDT salt in mineralized salt lick to improve growth performance in small ruminants |
5 |
| 10 | Livestock | Assessment of Methicon spray to mitigate the acaricidal resistance of ectoparasites in dairy animals |
15 |
| 11 | Millet | Assessment on different dehydration techniques of Millet Papad | 5 |
| 12 | Guava | Assessment of guava preserve with different preservation techniques | 5 |
OFT 2021-22
| S. No | Crop/ Enterprise | Technology to be assessed | No. of trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chickpea | Assessment on Chickpea varieties for higher productivity | 5 |
| 2 | Groundnut | Assessment on the performance of Groundnut varieties | 5 |
| 3 | Mango | Assessment of technology modules against mango gummosis | 5 |
| 4 | Tomato | Assessment of Technology modules against Tomato pinworm | 5 |
| 5 | Groundnut | Assessment of management module against wild boar in Groundnut | 5 |
| 6 | Turmeric | Assessment on Efficiency of Foliar nutrition modules in increasing the yield of Turmeric |
5 |
| 7 | Tomato | Assessment on Efficiency of Zinc solubilising bacterial cultures for the optimization of yield in Tomato |
5 |
| 8 | Chilli | Assessment on Chilli Hybrids (Arka Saanvi and COCH1) for higher productivity | 5 |
| 9 | Mango | Assessment of Modules for the enhancement of shelf life of Mango | 5 |
| 10 | Sheep | Assessment of Small Ruminant Mineral Mixture on growth performance in sheep | 5 |
| 11 | Cow | Assessment of TANUVAS - TRPVB Tick Shield to mitigate the acaricidal resistance of ectoparasites in dairy cattle |
10 |
| 12 | e - Extension | Assessing the Effectiveness of e-Extension Methods in terms of Knowledge Gain and Skill acquirement and Symbolic Adoption Behavior among the Rural Youth |
30 |
| 13 | Fruits & Vegetables |
Assessment of Different Coating Formulations to improve the Shelf life of Fruits and Vegetables |
5 |
| 14 | Mango Bar | Assessment on different flavours of protein enriched mango bar using solar drier | 5 |
