Kerala - Thrissur   

Merits of protected cultivation

Photo: K. K. Najeeb

Modern technology: Saplings on sale at a pavilion set up by Kerala Agricultural University at the Pooram exhibition in Thrissur on Tuesday.

Thrissur: A pavilion set up by the Kerala Agricultural University at the Pooram exhibition in the Thekkinkad Maidan here highlights the advantages of greenhouse technology.

Various exhibits draw attention to the merits of protected cultivation technology by which plants can be grown in controlled conditions.

Greenhouse technology is popular in countries such as Israel and the U.S. It allows precision farming and overcomes limitations of space and disadvantages of climate change. Vegetables are grown in protected polyhouses covered with UV polyethylene sheets.

M. K. Sheela, Director of Extension in KAU, said the university had conducted extensive studies on greenhouse cultivation of vegetables in the past two years and developed low-cost technologies that suit local conditions.

“The technology uses less space and gives better yield. Protected cultivation can increase yield upto 300 per cent. Quality of the produce will be higher. Plants will have fewer diseases. Varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, amaranthus and bittergourd can be grown successfully in protected polyhouses. Promotion of protected cultivation will revolutionise vegetable cultivation in the State,” she says. The KAU has been organising training programmes on greenhouse technology for farmers.

The State Horticulture Mission offers subsidy for using the technology.

The pavilion exhibits equipment such as KAU-developed micro sprinkler.

“Research institutions in the country have developed various water harvesting and conservation technologies. The Centre has initiated a massive training programme for better use of water in agriculture.

The KAU will implement this programme at the Agronomic Research Station, Chalakudy, from this year. Training programmes on water harvesting and conservation will be held in all districts,” Dr. Sheela said.

The pavilion displays ‘expert system’, an interactive computer programme with touch-screen facility by which farmers can obtain information.

Farmers and horticulturists can buy seeds and saplings from the pavilion. Various university publications are also available. A farm clinic functions in the pavilion on select days. The exhibition will conclude on May 19.

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