Indian Horticulture Research Institute, Bangalore, Director R Chithirai Cheluvan has regretted that despite paddy being an important food crop of Kodagu district, the farmers in the district are showing lack of interest to cultivate paddy due to several reasons.
He was speaking at an interaction programme on alternate crops to paddy, with the scientists and progressive farmers of the district, organised by Agriculture Research Centre at Gonikoppa on Thursday. The area under paddy cultivation is decreasing every year. Even the cultivation of other crops has seen a decline. The situation could be improved by taking up the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flower bearing plants, after the paddy cultivation.
Farmers can obtain required information and assistance from the experts at Agriculture Science Centre or the scientists from Indian Horticulture Research Institute, Bangalore.
Horticulture Centre, senior scientist M Prabhakar said that vegetables could be grown in the paddy field after the harvest season, rather than leaving the field dry and waste. The moisture in the field are conducive for growing vegetables. Income level could be improved
through less expenditure, minimum water usage and growing vegetables, he suggested.
Appangala Cardamom Research Institute Scientist Ankegowda said that apart from growing ginger and turmeric, even wheat and tur dal could be cultivated in Kodagu due to the suitable climate and land fertility. Vittal Central Plantation Crops Research Institute Senior Scientist Sujatha said there is a great scope to grow cocoa and areca in paddy field.
The cultivation could be supported with the use of proper insecticides and disease management system.
Hesarughatta Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute Scientists Gangadhar spoke on rearing ornamental fish and pisciculture.
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