THE Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) is promoting a Rs 3.3
crore project to develop new hybrids of
vegetables, for increased production by
small farmers. Initially, nine vegetables
- tomato, brinjal, chilly, Capsicum,
ladies-finger, onion, cucumber, bittergourd and cabbage - have been selected to be researched on. Studies will be
carried out in four ICAR institutes and 10
agricultural universities throughout
India.
Inspite ofbeing the world's secondlargest producer of vegetables, India is
below the reqvisite per capita availability level. Efforts to produce indigenous
hybrid seeds has been going on since
1971. Many varieties have hit commercial markets after local improvement.
Imported hybrid seeds are available
through the private sector. Recent trade
liberalisation and seed policies have
increased the quality and quantity of
seed import.
But seeds which ICAR is going to
develop will also be of superior quality.
They will cost less as well, enabling
farmers to afford high grade seeds.
Further, they will be easily transportable, disease resistant and uniform
in production and adaptability.
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