Kapurthala once a leading district in groundnut cultivation with over 12,000 hectares under Kharif groundnut during the 1980s, Kapurthala has undergone a significant shift in cropping patterns over the years. The widespread adoption of high water–intensive cropping systems, particularly the Paddy–Potato–Spring Maize rotation, now occupies more than 16,000 hectares. This has pushed cropping intensity close to 300 per cent, leading to severe groundwater depletion and degradation of natural resources. Dr Harinder Singh Incharge KVK Kapurthala have highlighted spring groundnut as a viable and sustainable alternative to spring maize. A low-input and water-efficient, spring groundnut fits well into existing crop rotations after potato, requiring only 4–6 irrigations. In addition to conserving water, the crop improves soil structure and fertility, reduces fertilizer requirement for the succeeding crop, and creates a favourable microenvironment that helps suppress soil-borne and foliar diseases in crops such as melons. Under the aegis of the Directorate of Extension Education (DEE), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kapurthala conducted ten field demonstrations in different villages of the district. The demonstrations yielded encouraging results, with an average productivity of 15.0 quintals per acre reported by participating farmers. Experts noted that the Dona belt of Kapurthala, characterized by light-textured soils and covering nearly 40–45 per cent of the district’s area, is particularly well suited for groundnut cultivation. The success of these demonstrations indicates that spring groundnut can easily replace spring maize in this region.
For large-scale adoption, scientists emphasized the need for advanced mechanization. Improved machinery such as electric pod shellers, ridge sowing machines and groundnut threshers are essential to reduce labour dependence, enhance operational efficiency, lower cultivation costs and improve overall farm returns. To promote groundnut as a profitable and water-conserving crop in the Dona region, KVK Kapurthala, under the guidance of the DEE, PAU Ludhiana, organized an exposure visit to Mastiwal village in Hoshiarpur district, where farmers are cultivating groundnut using fully mechanized system. Farmer Bikramjit Singh and other progressive farmers of the village thoroughly discussed mechanized operations such as the use of an electric pod sheller, seed drill for sowing, and threshers for harvesting. They also shared information on suitable varieties and the marketing prospects of the groundnut crop. The visit was facilitated by KVK Bahowal and involved progressive groundnut growers from Kapurthala district. The exposure visit concluded with a vote of thanks from the visiting farmers of Kapurthala, who expressed their gratitude to PAU–KVK Kapurthala, KVK Bahowal and the progressive farmers of Mastiwal village, Hoshiarpur, for providing valuable practical insights into mechanized spring groundnut cultivation.