Paddy is the main food crop for 60 % of the world population. Asian countries presently accounts for nearly 60% of the world population and 92% of world rice production. Asian population consume 90 % of the rice in the world. 30 % of paddy production in India comes under the rainfed cultivation. In Tamil Nadu, 30 % of total rice production under rainfed condition. Particularly southern part of Tamil Nadu. More than 90 % of paddy growers in the rainfed cultivation getting lower yield than average yield. This yield gap was due to production constrains like economical status of the farmer, availability of technologies. Ramanatahapuram, Sivagangai and Viridhunagar district of Tamil Nadu are the major districts cultivating paddy under rainfed situation. Onset of north east monsoon is the best season for cultivation with shorter duration and high yielding paddy varieties. Summer ploughing and seed hardening are the prime factor for drought tolerance. Sowing with improved paddy seeder save the seed cost and labour cost. Weed management with bispyribac -sodium during 3- 4 leaf stage followed by hand weeding at 40 – 45 days after sowing recorded weed free condition under rainfed paddy. Application of Nano urea along with recommended dose of fertilizers leads to higher plant growth and yield.
Wheat varieties are developed as per three sowing conditions and climatic conditions of wheat growing zones in India. ICAR- Indian Institute of Wheat Barley Research, Karnal, state agricultural universities and different All India Coordinated Wheat & Barley Improvement (AICRP) Centres developed wheat varieties as per the requirement of farmers.
Salem Krishi Vigyan Kendra has been working through various programs to improve the economy of farmers and farm women in Salem District. Need based trainings are being conducted continuously related to processing and value addition of horticultural crops and minor millets to develop entrepreneurs among farmers, farm women, unemployed rural youths etc., Mrs. Sujatha, an agriculture graduate from Salem district, who attended this training, was motivated and inspired after gaining awareness about value addition techniques in horticultural crops and minor millets. With motivation and enthusiasm from KVK Scientists, she started a cake making business under the name of Tamizh Cakes. She was introduced to other farmers, farm women and entrepreneurs by KVK, Salem as a budding entrepreneur.
