Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is one of the important small millets with high nutraceutical value in the world. Most of the millet farmers attracted by Finger millet cultivation due to its wide adoptability in different soil types and climate. It also grows well in hot climates with short rainfall periods and cool climates with warm millets. A multitude of small farmers grow finger millet with limited water resources and in many countries this crop is often referred to as “poor people's crop”. The grains of finger millets are very small in size with brown, light brown and white in colours based on different cultivars. The white cultivars have been developed mainly for the baking industry, the brown and light brown types used for porridge while the brown cultivar is utilized for brewing traditional opaque beer in Southern Africa. Finger millet has the highest source of calcium and iron when compared to the other cereals. Finger millet contains high concentration of carbohydrates, dietary fibre, phytochemicals and essential amino acids; presence of essential minerals; as well as a gluten‑free status. Diet is a major focus of public health strategies aimed at maintaining optimum health throughout life, thus preventing early onset of chronic diseases as well as promoting healthier ageing. Many researchers have described that finger millet helps in natural weight loss, strengthens bone, prevents diabetes, prevents anti-ageing, maintains blood pressure levels, protects from disease, improves in hemoglobin status in children etc.,. Studies on the different properties of foods have shown that consumption of certain foods may provide greater health benefits. Finger millet is not only used for human consumption, but it is also used as feed for cattle and birds. Finger millet is used in the preparation of different foods both in natural and malted forms, like porridge, puddings, pancakes, biscuits, roti, bread, noodles, and other snacks. Besides this, it is also used as a nourishing food for infants when malted and is regarded as wholesome food for diabetic patients. Therefore, necessary need to needs to increase production and productivity through various improved technologies to meet our requirements in future and also strengthen public distribution system for achieving nutritional security.

Background: Black gram is one of the important crops among the pulses. Rice–blackgram cropping system is very common in Tamil Nadu. The traditional practice of broadcasting of seeds in the standing crop of rice does not ensure uniform plant population and moisture which results in poor crop growth and yield. Technology gap is a major problem in increasing blackgram production in Tiruchirapalli district of Tamil nadu State. So far, no systematic effort was made to study the technological gap existing in various components of blackgram cultivation. This project was implemented in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) with main objective to increase the production and productivity through Cluster Frontline demonstrations (CFLDs) with latest technologies. Methods: The Cluster front line demonstration s were conducted with the objective of increase in pulse production. The five village of fifty nine Frontline demonstrations on blackgram (MDU-1) variety was laid out in an area of 50 hectares in farmer’s field in Ayelapettai, Jadamangalam, Sirugamani, Peruvanallur and Anjalam of Tiruchirapalli district in Tamil Nadu. The inputs i.e. distributed are blackgram (MDU-1) variety seed along with mechanized sowing, Result : There was 81.50 per cent increase in yield observed in demonstration plot over farmers’ practice. It was observed that potential yield can be achieved by imparting scientific knowledge to the farmers, providing the quality need based inputs and proper application of inputs. Combination of technical inputs viz., designer seeds, application of TNAU pulse wonder and biofertilizers with scientific interference have increased the potential yield of a crop.

Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss. is an underutilized plant which is distributed across world. It survives under varying soil types such as deep fertile soil, shallow rocky soil, salt affected soils, etc. Waterleaf occurs from sea level to 1000 m above MSL. Tolerance to drought is added advantage but, yield decreases with increasing water stress. It moderately tolerates salinity and sodicity of both soil and water. This plant can be exploited as plant for phytoremediation as it is capable to accumulate heavy metals, pollutants and minerals. It has significant potential to use it as fodder for cattle considering green biomass and nutritional composition. This plant can also be used as feed to chickens, rabbits and cattle. It is considered as palatable, leafy vegetable owing to nutritional and medicinal properties though it possess lesser amount of anti-nutritious components such saponin, oxalates and tannins. In view of above facts, waterleaf have the potential to be utilized as leafy vegetable for semiarid and humid conditions, quality green fodder for cattle, feed for rabbits and chicken, remediating polluted soils, reclamation and sustainable utilization of salt affected lands, tolerant plant for poor quality water, suitable to shallow soils besides using it as ornamental plant.

Burning of sugarcane trash inside the field in India is a common practice among the farmers due to lack of labour availability and less time available for sowing of the next crop. This is a hazardous practice which has affected soil health, air, human health etc. leading to massive as well as monetary losses. The present study has been based on primary data collected from the sugarcane growers to highlight the constraints pertaining to this issue. Lack of labour availability, high cost for disposing and lack of knowledge on in-situ composting emerged as the major reasons for the ongoing practice. The different measures like creating awareness on in-situ composting and mulching technique were suggested by the farmers to deal with the issue. In-situ composting and trash mulching in sugarcane field can be a good alternate to mitigate these problems. Some of the measures to deal with the problem can be creating awareness among the farmers about eco loss and strict implementation of the law prohibiting the burning of crop residue, custom hiring of expensive machinery for chopping of straw, off farm utilization were suggested by farmers.

Out of 115 million operational holdings in India, about 80 per cent of Indian farmers are marginal and small farmers. To achieve sustainable development in income and employment to fulfill the basic needs of the farmers in plains and also in hilly areas, an integrated faming system plays a vital role in India. The present study was undertaken to recognize the contribution of integrated farming system on livelihood security and sustainable development of Tribal people. Primary data was collected from the Tribal people of Pachamalai hill situated in Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu. Most of the respondents were involved in the adoption of integrated farming system, but the components are based on size of land holding, economic conditions, knowledge, experience and interest of the respondent etc. Eight different components of Integrated farming system were considered in the study. Among them agriculture with backyard poultry, livestock and piggery which are adopted by most of the respondents. Farmers responses that integrated farming system has increased the economic yield per unit area by providing income to the farmers round the year, providing food, nutritional security and increasing input usage by the result of expected output. Hence it is essential to create awareness to improve knowledge, skill and attitude regarding the adoption of more components of integrated farming system. Therefore it was concluded from the study that integrated farming system is a multidimentional farming approach, which is very effective in solving many problems of achieving farmers’ livelihood security.

A study was conducted in Karaipottanar sub-basin area of Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu in rice crop in 35.0 ha (25 demonstrations). The results showed that the adoption of alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWDI) and green manure technique resulted in higher grain yield as compared to farmers’ practice. The net return (Rs 39,208.30/ ha) and B-C ratio (2.10) were observed in demonstration plots which were higher than farmers’ practice (Rs 28,569.40/ha and 1.74 respectively). The water productivity was higher (5.14 kg/m³) in demonstration plots as compared to the control plots (3.37 kg/m³) and the average water saving was 26 per cent in demonstration plots. The green manure application resulted in increased available nutrients like organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in the soil. From this study it was concluded that AWDI with field water tube was the better water management technique not only in increasing rice yield but also in saving water.