Background: To investigate the combined effects of organics and inorganics on the yield, quality, nutrient uptake and economics of sunflower + greengram intercropping system, field investigations were conducted from July - October 2023 and January - April 2024 at the Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002. Methods: The experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments include M1 - Sole sunflower, M2 - sunflower + greengram and subplot treatments include S1 - RDF alone (60:90:60 kg of NPK ha-1), S2: RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1, S3: RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + Sulphur @ 45 kg ha-1 through gypsum, S4: RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + Sulphur @ 45kg ha-1 + AM Fungi @12 kg ha-1. Results: The experiment’s findings showed that the yield, quality, nutrient uptake and economics of sole sunflower were significantly influenced by RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + sulphur @ 45 kg ha-1 + AM fungi @ 12 kg ha-1 (M1S4). In terms of economics, sunflower + greengram intercropping system along with the application of RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + Sulphur @ 45 kg ha-1 + AM Fungi @ 12 kg ha-1 (M2S4) recorded the highest BCR of 2.74. Conclusion: Based on the results, it could be concluded that sunflower + greengram intercropping with the application of RDF (60:90:60 kg of NPK ha-1) + Poultry manure compost @ 6t ha-1 + Sulphur @ 45 kg ha-1 through Gypsum + AM Fungi @ 12 kg ha-1 (M2S4) was agronomically sound and economically feasible practice to maximize the productivity and profitability of sunflower growing farmers in Tamil Nadu.
This systematic research evaluates the major obstacles faced by the West African poultry sector, including disease outbreaks, poor market access, insufficient infrastructure, restricted financial resources, and a shortage of skilled labor. The industry faces high mortality rates, trade restrictions, and economic losses due to disease outbreaks. Improved surveillance, biosecurity measures, and vaccination programs are crucial. The research highlights the need for improved infrastructure, quality standards enforcement, market information systems, and supportive policies to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. The poultry industry in West Africa faces challenges in market access, hindering its development and competitiveness. The socio-economic role of poultry production is emphasized, including its contribution to food security and income generation. Challenges faced include disease outbreaks, lack of access to credit and technical knowledge, high production costs, poor infrastructure, and competition from imported poultry products. Possible solutions include improved veterinary services, extension programs, cooperative societies, government support in the form of loans, and capacity training for farmers.
