The Bangalore based India’s premier research institute, “Indian Institute of Horticultural Research” (IIHR) plans to release a virus-resistant chilli variety for commercial cultivation from the next year 2021. Said Dr. M.R. Dinesh, Director of IIHR.
Addressing at ‘Aatmanirbhar Krishi for Vegetables’, webinar on organised by the Mysuru Field Outreach Bureau under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on Wednesday, he said that “The virus resistant chilli variety is an outcome of eight years research and hard work effort by Dr. Madhavi Reddy, Head of Vegetable Crops division of IIHR.”
Production and release time
At present, few selected farmers have been guided to taken up the seed production of this variety and its happening well. “We are looking forward to release it for wider and possibly commercial cultivation from next year 2021 onwards,” he mentioned.
Over the IIHR’s achievement for disease-resistant varieties, he mention two important varieties of tomato crop, ‘Arka Rakshak’ and ‘Arka Abedh’ which are resistant to three and to four diseases respectively. Tomato growing area farmers across 23 states are using these varieties, he added.
On the developing benefits of such varieties of horticultural crops, Dr. Dinesh mentioned that half the race is achieved with regard to organic farming when the institute developed such promising disease-resistant varieties. This would sharply bring down use of the hazardous pesticides, he told.
Entrepreneurial Opportunities
He further narrated that IIHR is well-known name for the contribution of its varieties in tomatoes, chillies, cucurbits, legumes, and in solanaceous crops.
On the entrepreneurial opportunities in Olericulture (Science of vegetable growing) sector, he said the IIHR offers its own vegetable varieties for seed production to aspiring entrepreneurs and selected farmers, and it also buys back the seeds developed from these varieties from these beneficiaries.
Apart from this opportunity, the institute (IIHR) also caters technologies to aspirants and guide and assist them for six months. This will enable them to venture in Olericulture sector as an entrepreneurs, he added.
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