Grow high value fruits… Dr. S K Singh

Dr. S K Singh, Director General of the Central Horticultural Experimental Centre in New Delhi, after participating in the Butter Fruit Festival held at the Central Horticultural Experimental Centre in Chettalli recently said that India has every possibility of turning into a food hub in the next 15 years and hence growers should step up to grow high value fruits. 

Speaking further he informed that Foreign Horticultural Growers Development Association has been started and the growers should avail the facilities by joining the association. If the farmer directly buys the fruit plants it will cost more but when everyone buys together through association, the cost will be reduced and added that other benefits can also be obtained from this. 

He also said that high value fruits including off season lychee, butter fruit can be grown in major selected parts of the state including Kodagu and suggested that farmers should be more enthusiastic about growing fruits that are very high in demand. 

K.N. Varma, Director of Horticultural Integrated Development Mission of Government of India said that the farmers will be given high quality fruit plants and additional measures will be taken to increase the income of the farmers. He also said that various programs are being organized under the MIDH scheme.

Speaking on the occasion progressive farmer Bose Mandanna said that the Chetalli Centre was started when Kodagu was a separate state. It was intended to develop oranges in Kodagu. But in recent times the orange of Kodagu has disappeared. Therefore, it is commendable that Chettalli Centre is undertaking a three-year program for the revival of oranges in Kodagu. 

Speaking further, he said that marketing is a big problem for farmers these days. In this background, foreign horticultural growers have started a development association in Chettalli, and he suggested that the growers should take advantage of this.

Prakash Patil, Project Coordinator of ICAR Fruit Division said that the central government is promoting the production of indigenous products through Atma Nirbhar Bharath. Accordingly, we should grow horticultural fruits suitable for the climate here and added that ICAR will give full cooperation towards that, he added

Rajendiran, Head of Chettalli Horticulture Experimental Centre also spoke on the occasion. Scientist of fruit department Dr.Murulidhar presented paper on butte fruit cultivation in India, prospects and problems. Rani, a scientist from the Department of Entomology, explained about important pests and diseases in butter fruit   and their management. 

On the occasion, the Foreign Horticultural Growers Development Association was officially inaugurated at the Central Horticultural Experimental Center of Chettalli.