Mangaluru, Apr 26: Agriculture and horticulture departments of the government address the issues faced by farmers. In addition, they also cooperate with the farmers for agriculture. The agriculture and horticulture research centre at Kapikad, on the outskirts of the city, is a favourite among the farmers. The reason for that is the centre gives suggestions and training on how to cultivate scientifically and get more yield and income.

 

This research centre, which falls under agriculture and horticulture university, was established in 1953. At present Dr Raviraj Shetty is the chief of this unit. This research centre is spread over an area of 32 acres. There are cashew crops that are cultivated on 15 acres of land. The rest of the land has an office, nursery, vegetables and more than 200 coconut trees.

 

 

More stress is given to the research of cashew crops in this centre. In addition to the development of cashew sapling and the increase of the value of cashew fruit, high-quality cashew saplings are given to the growers. In addition, training is given on how to grow horticultural crops. Hybrid plants, model terrace gardens, growing various vegetables scientifically are demonstrated at this research centre. This centre also has a hybrid sapling of good quality which include cashew, mango, jackfruit, areca nut etc.

Cashew is not the indigenous crop of India. It was brought to India by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Now India ranks second in the world in the production of cashew. Dr Raviraj opines that the cashew crop suits the changing weather condition of the present world.

Five very important cashew grafts are developed in this centre. They are Ullala-1, Ullala-2, Ullala-3, Ullala-4 and U.N-50. These breeds have very good demand. In addition, to agriculturists from the district, these grafts are taken by agriculturists of Belagavi, Bellary, Gulbarga and Kolar districts. The cashew crop is the one that suits them best for the weather conditions of coastal Karnataka. There is a demand for more than one lac plants of Ullala-1 and Ullala-2 breeds.

By planting developed and grafted cashew plants it is possible to take yield within three years. Another important benefit of grafting is that the plant will retain its root qualities while growing. From this kind of grafted cashew trees, nearly 20 kg of cashew nuts can be obtained. These trees can grow on barren land. So even the barren land gets utilised. Nearly 72 plants can be planted over an area of one acre. In this research centre, 1,000 cashew plants are planted over an area of 15 acres. The annual yield is around 100 to 150 quintal of cashew nuts. From this crop, only the centre is getting an income of around Rs 18 to 20 lac. In addition, the cashew plants are given to farmers at Rs 35 per piece.

In addition, the centre has a nursery of bush pepper plants. In pepper, there are two varieties. One is a creeper type that grows on areca nut and coconuts trees. The other grows in bushes. In this centre, there are rooted pepper plants along with bush pepper grafts. This bush pepper can be grown in pots also. People who have limited space can grow this for their daily use.

A model vegetable farm is developed here. Spinach, bitter gourd, ash gourd, ridge gourd etc are grown here. Many urban residents are showing more interest in growing terrace gardens. But they lack information. So a model terrace garden is displayed in this centre. Vegetables for daily need can be grown in this type of terrace garden.

In this centre, the method of growing vegetables from waste is also displayed. For this, the outer box of the scrapped refrigerator can be used. In addition, information on how to take care of the plants to prevent them from pests and what type of organic manure can be used is given to people. On the whole, this research centre has turned out to be a blessing for agriculturists as well as city dwellers who want to make terrace gardens.