Dissemination of Improved Production Techniques of Minor Millets Through Front Line Demonstrations for Productivity Enhancement in Theni, Madurai and Dindigul Districts of Southern Tamil Nadu

Background: Nowadays, minor millets becoming more popular than other cereals due to its inherent properties of adaptability a range marginal growing conditions, nutritious and withstanding severe biotic abiotic stresses. However, underutilized neglected in the cultivation part several areas. It is also known fact that Theni, Madurai Dindigul districts southern Tamil Nadu has major population scheduled caste (SC) tribes (ST),”Paliyans”are living near foothills Western Ghats, which largely rural. These populations are really vulnerable communities need better agricultural system for livelihood improvement nutritional security. Attempts were made popularize adopt high yielding variety scientific methods crop management practices farmers holdings Theni district through Front line demonstrations (FLDs) during 2016-19. The results exhibited average higher grain yield 1559 kg/ha barnyard millet 1004 little recorded demonstration plots compared 1250 860 respectively practice with advantage 24.7 16.7 per cent respectively. In summary, FLDs on village level carried out by insisting worth seed selection at field adoption new under among farming community income. Methods: study was conducted Ghats location large-scale Frontline farmer’s selected villages Aundipatti block 2016-17 2017-18 need-based interventions who comes SC/ST category privileged section. Result: confirmed TNAU Barnyard varieties CO (Kv) 2 MDU 1 (Sa) 4 improved found local check field. Yield frontline trials potential estimate gap. Thus, skill farmer as well interest variety.