Constraints Encountered by Groundnut Growers in Adopting Recommended TNAU Groundnut Production Technologies in Villupuram District

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), commonly known as peanut, is a crucial oilseed crop widely cultivated in India due to its high nutritional and economic value (Li et al., 2000). In Tamil Nadu, particularly in districts like Villupuram, groundnut farming plays a pivotal role in the agricultural economy, with many farmers relying on it as a primary source of income (Kiruthika, 2024). The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) recommends various production technologies to enhance the yield, qualityand sustainability of groundnut farming in the region (Elakkia et al., 2021).
       
Despite the potential benefits of these technologies, their adoption among groundnut growers in Villupuram district faces significant challenges. Recent survey statistics indicate that while Villupuram ranks prominently in groundnut cultivation within Tamil Nadu, adopting recommended TNAU technologies remains suboptimal. Factors such as limited access to credit, inadequate knowledge disseminationand perceived complexities associated with new technologies contribute to this issue (Karthickraja et al., 2023).
       
Villupuram district, located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, has a semi-arid climate and relies on both rainfed and irrigated farming systems. Groundnut is a crucial cash crop in this district, significantly contributing to the agricultural economy and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Historically, groundnut cultivation has been a traditional practice; however, recent efforts have focused on enhancing productivity through scientific advancements and technology adoption.
       
The TNAU has developed and recommended various production technologies to improve yield and reduce crop losses. These include new varieties, integrated pest management practicesand soil fertility management techniques, all aimed at enhancing productivity, sustainability and profitability. Despite these advancements, the adoption rates of these technologies among groundnut growers in Villupuram district remain uneven. This study aims to identify and analyze the key constraints faced by groundnut growers in adopting TNAU-recommended production technologies and to evaluate potential solutions for overcoming these challenges. Improving technology adoption is essential for boosting groundnut productivity and ensuring economic sustainability for farmers in Villupuram district.

Per cent position = 100 x (Rij - 0.5)/Nj

Constraints to groundnut production
 
Garrett’s ranking technique has been used to analyze the factors influencing the production of groundnuts by the respondents. Under the Garrett Technique, the percentage position is calculated by using formulae. The respondents were asked to rank the twelve factors identified for this study as 1, 2, 3, 4 ...........12 to know their preference in the selection of constraint. The calculated percentage position for the ranks 1, 2, 3,.....12 and their corresponding Garrett table as shown in Table 2. For factors, the total score is calculated by multiplying the number of respondents ranking that factor as 1, 2, 3 and 12.


       
The Table 3 and Table 4 presents the ranking of various constraints encountered by groundnut growers in Villupuram district, according to their average Garret scores. The constraints are ranked in order of their impact, from highest to lowest, based on the growers’ responses.




       
Table 5 shows and ranked various constraints that groundnut growers in Villupuram district face in adopting the TNAU-recommended groundnut production technology. The constraints, along with their respective ranks, are as follows:


       
The most significant constraint faced by groundnut growers is the issue of non-remunerative prices and fluctuations in market prices, which severely impacts farmers’ income and profitability. With a mean score of 34.025, price instability creates uncertainty about returns on investment, discouraging the adoption of advanced production methods, as also reported by Veeraiah et al., (2019) and Priya et al., (2021). High input costs, with a mean score of 31.275, rank as the second major constraint. The financial burden of purchasing seeds, fertilizersand pesticides limits farmers’ ability to fully adopt recommended technologies, as similarly noted by Patel et al., (2018).
       
Inadequate credit facilities are another significant barrier, with a mean score of 26.991. Farmers often struggle to secure loans or affordable credit, which hinders their ability to invest in new technologies and purchase essential inputs. The lack of accessible and timely credit options leads to lower adoption rates of TNAU technologies, aligning with the findings of Taphee et al., (2015). Additionally, the lack of timely and appropriate extension services, with a mean score of 26.4, restricts farmers’ ability to adopt modern agricultural practices. This gap in extension support, essential for educating and guiding farmers, limits their effective use of available technologies.

Pest and disease infestations pose a persistent challenge, ranked fifth with a mean score of 19.858. The lack of effective management strategies discourages farmers from adopting new technologies that require different approaches, as reported by Jalu et al., (2022). Another critical constraint is the non-availability of inputs in time, with a mean score of 16.291. Delays or shortages in input supply hinder the successful implementation of recommended technologies, negatively affecting productivity, as also noted by Mishra (2023).
       
Labor scarcity and high wages, ranked seventh with a mean score of 13.991, further complicate the adoption of labor-intensive technologies, especially during peak agricultural seasons when the demand for labor is high. The inadequate availability of groundnut processing machines, with a mean score of 12.283, impacts post-harvest handling and value addition, limiting farmers’ ability to maximize returns on their produce. Additionally, unpredictable weather patterns, ranked ninth with a mean score of 10.875, present another challenge. Climate variability and extreme weather events reduce yields and make farmers hesitant to invest in technologies that may not be resilient to changing environmental conditions. Lastly, the lack of proper storage facilities, with a mean score of 10.483, contributes to post-harvest losses, reducing the quality of groundnut produce and discouraging the adoption of advanced technologies.
       
These findings suggest that a multifaceted approach is required to address the economic, technicaland infrastructural constraints faced by groundnut farmers in the Villupuram district. This approach will be essential for promoting the widespread adoption of TNAU-recommended groundnut production technologies.
 
Suggestions to overcome the constraints
 
Table 6 provided by respondents highlight key challenges faced by farmers and the support needed to improve the adoption of TNAU-recommended groundnut production technologies. The most significant suggestion, ranked highest by 90% of the respondents, was the need for subsidized inputs, including seeds, fertilizersand pesticides. This indicates that high input costs are a major barrier to adopting new technologies. Addressing this issue through subsidies could lead to improved adoption rates and better crop management practices, consistent with findings by Raviya et al., (2016).


       
Credit availability, emphasized by 81.67% of the respondents, was the second most important suggestion. Farmers stressed the need for easy and timely access to affordable credit, as financial constraints hinder their ability to invest in essential inputs and technologies for production improvement. This finding is also supported by Raviya et al., (2016). The third-ranked suggestion, indicated by 71.67% of respondents, was the need for remunerative pricing for produce. Farmers emphasized that fair market prices are crucial for their decision-making and would incentivize the adoption of new technologies, even those requiring higher initial investments, a finding again consistent with Raviya et al., (2016).
       
Extension services support, ranked fourth with 70% of the respondents in agreement, underscored the need for continuous guidance and technical assistance to help farmers effectively implement and sustain the recommended technologies. As Sahu et al., (2023) reported, extension services can bridge the gap between research and practical application. Similarly, 65% of respondents highlighted the importance of training programs, ranked fifth, which can enhance farmers’ skills and understanding of improved production technologies, in line with findings from Jalu et al., (2022).
       
The need for community storage and procurement centers was expressed by 60% of the respondents, ranking sixth. Farmers pointed to challenges in storage and marketing of produce, suggesting that community centers could reduce individual risks and improve market access, consistent with the findings of Vineetha et al., (2018). Reliable weather forecasting services, ranked seventh by 53.33% of respondents, was seen as essential for informed decision-making in planting, irrigationand harvesting. Accurate weather information could mitigate risks related to unpredictable weather patterns, as also noted by Oyekale (2015).
       
Crop insurance, ranked eighth with 46.67% of respondents supporting it, was seen as a critical safety net to protect farmers against crop failures due to climatic risks. This finding is supported by Jalu et al., (2022), who highlighted the vulnerability of farmers to environmental uncertainties. Additionally, 38.33% of respondents ranked farmer cooperatives ninth, emphasizing the role of collective action in reducing input costs and ensuring timely access to necessary inputs through bulk purchasing, a finding consistent with Ramaru et al., (2004).
       
Finally, government subsidies and grants, ranked tenth by 34.17% of the respondents, were seen as necessary for purchasing machinery that could enhance post-harvest processing and add value to the produce. This finding aligns with Pipit et al., (2021), who emphasized the need for financial support to improve post-harvest operations. Overall, these suggestions reflect the financial, technicaland infrastructural support required by farmers to successfully adopt TNAU-recommended groundnut production technologies and improve their productivity and livelihoods.

The study titled “Constraints Encountered by Groundnut Farmers in Adopting Recommended TNAU Groundnut Production Technologies in Villupuram District” has identified several critical barriers affecting the adoption of advanced production technologies. The most significant constraint found is the issue of non-remunerative prices and price fluctuations, which severely impact farmers’ income and discourage investment in new technologies. Additionally, high input costs and inadequate credit facilities are major obstacles that complicate the adoption process. Other significant impediments include the lack of timely and appropriate extension services, insufficient technical know-howand pest and disease infestations.
       
These findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to address these constraints and enhance technology adoption rates. Specifically, addressing price instability and improving access to affordable credit could offer immediate relief to farmers. Concurrently, strengthening extension services and providing more technical training can build long-term capacity. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of specific interventions designed to mitigate these constraints and assess their impact on technology adoption. Moreover, exploring the influence of local market dynamics and weather patterns on adoption decisions could provide deeper insights into the multifaceted nature of these challenges, facilitating more effective strategies to support groundnut farmers.

The present study was supported by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.

The views and conclusions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of their affiliated institutions. The authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information provided but do not accept any liability for any direct or indirect losses resulting from the use of this content.

Ethical considerations were observed by obtaining written informed consent from all respondents after explaining the study’s purpose and ensuring the confidentiality of their responses. All collected data were kept confidential and used solely for research purposes, with no personal identifiers included in the analysis or dissemination of results.

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article. No funding or sponsorship influenced the design of the study, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.