Nilgiris sees a 20% rise in yield of hybrid vegetables

UDHAGAMANDALAM: For the past five years, production of hill-grown vegetables such as carrot, cabbage, beetroot and potato has increased at least by 20% in the Nilgiris, despite the area of farming remaining the same. The horticultural department attributes this to the introduction of high-yield hybrid variety seeds in the past few years.
Five years ago, the total production of all the varieties of hill-grown vegetables in the Nilgiris stood at approximately 1.4 lakh metric tonnes.However, now the production has increased by 20% to 25% per annum and accounts for 1.72 lakh metric tonnes.
"The horticulture department has introduced hybrid and high-yield varieties of vegetables, including carrot, beetroot, cabbage and potato in the past five years. Now, we can see a significant increase in productivity," N Mani, joint director, horticulture department told TOI. "Nevertheless, the area for vegetable cultivation remains the same."
While high-yield varieties of potatoes like 'Kufri Gridhari' and 'Kufri Jothi' and 'Kufri Swarna' have been introduced to the farmers, hybrid varieties of carrot, beetroot and cabbage have also yielded good results for the farmers.
"As far as beans is concerned, the native varieties are giving good yield and have good market support", said Mani.
There are over 70,300 farming families in the hill district who are cultivating vegetables on around 6,600 hectares of land.
Earlier farmers used to go for two-three crops of vegetables in a year. But now, they go for four crops in one year.
The department also renders the facility of micro irrigation system at 100% subsidy scheme, besides other subsidy schemes for vegetable cultivation. "Hence, the farmers need not worry about monsoon failure, if at all it occurs," said Mani.
C Sivalingam, a farmer in Ooty told TOI, "The subsidies, rendered by the horticulture department are certainly encouraging the farmers. We see more yield per hectare with hybrid vegetables like carrot, beetroot and cabbage".
According to records, around 900 hectares of farming land, which was left without cultivation in the past, has come under active farming land as subsidies and hybrid and high yield varieties of vegetables attract the farmers.
Recently Nilgiris collector P Sankar conducted an inspection tour to various farming lands in the district.
He said, "Agriculture and tourism are the backbones of the district. With increase in vegetable productivity, the district foresees a brighter future."