Karnataka will soon set on stream programmes to introduce new vegetable and fruit varieties developed by the scientists of the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR). According to the state minister for horticulture R Shankar, that a separate budgetary allocation was made to introduce these varieties to the farmers across Karnataka.

“The IIHR scientists have developed some of these varieties and these need to be available for the farmers. The government is planning to introduce these varieties along with the latest technology developed by the scientists through the 715 farmer contact centres,” he said at a press interaction.

Stating that Karnataka is the eighth state in the country to expand the cultivation of horticulture crops after Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Punjab, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra, he hoped that it would soon gain the ‘numero uno' status.

Horticulture has been one of the fastest growing sectors within the larger agriculture activities in the country and Karnataka is at the forefront. There is a need to promote organic farming in production of different horticultural commodities with the objective of promoting exports and improve returns. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop technology for organic farming and create awareness on the benefits it provides. This calls for standardisation of technologies for producing vermi-compost, biofertiliser, mycorrhizae and bio pesticides for different crops. There is also need to develop guidelines for this purpose and designate agencies for accreditation of such produce meeting international requirements, he said.

Further, the minister also called on the horticulture department officials to open a separate market for floriculture which growing in eminence for the state on similar lines that of vegetables and fruits. He also insisted for responsible not only for production and product standards but also for their inspection and quality control in fruits and vegetables.

IIHR had also entered into four memorandum of understanding with four companies for commercialisation of technology developed by its scientists. These were companies across Karnataka, in Bengaluru Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.