PALAKKAD: Cultivation of cold climate vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, beetroot, carrot and capsicum is picking up in the State following the efforts of the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK).
The success of field trials by Kerala Agricultural University gave the VFPCK the impetus to attempt commercial production of such crops in the State, said N. Thomas Cheriyan, manager, Alathur unit.
Last year, the VFPCK produced and supplied around 16 lakh seedlings of various crops through its district centres at a nominal rate to farmers.
The farmers are so enthused by the programme that the seed processing plant at Alathur has been getting enquiries on the availability of seedlings from June this year. Production of seedlings is delayed for over a month due to rain.
“A team of 10 experienced labourers under the technical supervision of seed technologist Ahamed Raza forms the core group of the project,” Mr. Cheriyan said.
The process
The seedlings are raised in a hi-tech nursery using the latest technology. Seedling trays are filled with coir pith compost treated with trichoderma and pseudomonas at a specified ratio.
Seeds are then put on trays and the trays are placed on the bed of a shade net nursery. From the fifth day, the seeds start germinating. The seedlings are then sprayed with a mixture of pseudomonas diluted in water to prevent fungal infection.
The seedlings are protected by covering the trays using a polythene sheet.
Seedlings, he said, are ready for distribution after 25 days. The nursery at Alathur will supply five lakh seedlings this season.
Though sales began late November, it has already crossed the halfway mark. The Malappuram district panchayat has placed an order for 2.5 lakh seedlings of cabbage and cauliflower.
Mr. Cheriyan said that enthusiasm of farmers to this scheme was beyond expectations. “One possible reason could be the recent controversy related to the after-effects of toxic pesticides that prompted many to go for farming using organic methods. Another reason could be the skyrocketing prices of vegetables,” he said.
Source: The Hindu, 6-12-2010
The success of field trials by Kerala Agricultural University gave the VFPCK the impetus to attempt commercial production of such crops in the State, said N. Thomas Cheriyan, manager, Alathur unit.
Last year, the VFPCK produced and supplied around 16 lakh seedlings of various crops through its district centres at a nominal rate to farmers.
The farmers are so enthused by the programme that the seed processing plant at Alathur has been getting enquiries on the availability of seedlings from June this year. Production of seedlings is delayed for over a month due to rain.
“A team of 10 experienced labourers under the technical supervision of seed technologist Ahamed Raza forms the core group of the project,” Mr. Cheriyan said.
The process
The seedlings are raised in a hi-tech nursery using the latest technology. Seedling trays are filled with coir pith compost treated with trichoderma and pseudomonas at a specified ratio.
Seeds are then put on trays and the trays are placed on the bed of a shade net nursery. From the fifth day, the seeds start germinating. The seedlings are then sprayed with a mixture of pseudomonas diluted in water to prevent fungal infection.
The seedlings are protected by covering the trays using a polythene sheet.
Seedlings, he said, are ready for distribution after 25 days. The nursery at Alathur will supply five lakh seedlings this season.
Though sales began late November, it has already crossed the halfway mark. The Malappuram district panchayat has placed an order for 2.5 lakh seedlings of cabbage and cauliflower.
Mr. Cheriyan said that enthusiasm of farmers to this scheme was beyond expectations. “One possible reason could be the recent controversy related to the after-effects of toxic pesticides that prompted many to go for farming using organic methods. Another reason could be the skyrocketing prices of vegetables,” he said.
Source: The Hindu, 6-12-2010
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