Innovation Detail

Targeted crop: Arachis hypogaea L. (Groundnut)

Practice details: He had developed a sowing technique for groundnut crop which not only saves labour but also conserves water. After the ploughing, a raised bed of two feet width to a required length of the field, usually 80-100 feet is made. Furrows of half feet depth and one feet width (to the length of the raised bed) are formed on either side of the bed. Groundnut seeds are dibbled in the ridges at one feet interval and they are dibbled 5”-6” away from the edge of the ridge or from the furrow. Another row of seeds is dibbled in the center. Thus the groundnut seeds are dibbled in a triangular fashion i.e. the center of the square is planted with a seed.
Advantages over traditional practice: This practice not only saves labour but also conserves water and all this without any loss in the yield of the crop. By using irrigation water in the furrows, he is able to reduce water requirement of the crop to the extent of 62%. i.e. by using this method four times the area can be covered with the same amount of water. This method also facilitates faster irrigation. By using this method only four times irrigation will be sufficient for the groundnut crop. Mukunthan uses organic liquid fertilizer (cow dung and jaggery mixed with water and fermented) in the channels.
Cropping Season: Summer