More than 300 farmers from Bangalore, Mysore, Chikballapur, Doddaballapur, Tumkur, Kadur and other parts of the state took part in the Field Day programme organised at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR).
In a detailed interaction, farmers asked questions about crop diseases, availability of water, electricity, storage of onions, subsidies on micro irrigation and new resistant varieties of chillies to scientists and experts.
Some questions were also answered by principal secretary (Horticulture) M K Shankarlinge Gowda. He asked farmers to make smart use of water and electricity.
Scientists advised the farmers to dry onions in the field in a systematic manner before sending them for storage to ensure better quality. The division of vegetable crops had organised the programme on ‘Improved Vegetable Varieties/ hybrids and their Production Technology’. Gowda was the chief guest at the event.
Scientists showcased the recently-released 44 high yielding varieties and hybrids of vegetables which are resistant to pests and natural conditions like droughts and water logging.
The first-ever developed high-yielding triple disease resistant tomato hybrid ArkaRakshak and ArkaSamrat, high-yielding disease resistant chilli hybrids, disease resistant high-yielding hybrids of brinjal, ladies finger, watermelon, onion, French beans, field beans and leafy vegetables were the highlight of the field day.
A T Sadashiva, head and principal scientist at the division, said, “ArkaRakshak has shown a yield of 190 tonnes per hectare, when normal yields are about 80 tonnes per hectare. This variety can also withstand long transportation so it is exported out of Bangalore. IIHR can release any quantity of seeds of this variety. Our seed prices are almost lower by fifty per cent than that of private companies.”
IIHR director A S Sidhu, said, “India has increased production of vegetables and crops by 100 million tonnes in the last decade. If we continue like this, we will surpass China in the next five years.”
Gowda told the farmers, “If you have five acres, you must grow five different varieties of vegetables.”
Horticulture Dept, IIHR to sign MoU Horticulture department principal secretary M K Shankarlinge Gowda said on Saturday that the department would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore.
The pact is aimed at providing better knowledge of good varieties of crops which retain their qualities for years and can be grown easily. Gowda, who was the chief guest on the occasion of Field Day on ‘Improved Vegetable Varieties/hybrids and their Production Technology’ said, “Though Karnataka produces 10 per cent of the country’s (total) fruits and vegetables and Bangalore is the seed capital, we are not Number 1 growers of anything, except coffee.”