Kerala Aagricultural University’s (KAU) research section has developed 14 new varieties of seeds here.
KAU vice-chancellor K R Visambharan told newsmen today that various research institutions under the university have evolved the new varieties of hybrid seeds for release to farmers. These new breeds had been approved by the State Seed Sub-Committee on Crop Standard and Release, he said.
He said that the new varieties included seven red-rice paddy varieties, two vegetables, two pulses, two ginger and cashew.
He said this was the first time new varieties of ginger were developed by the KAU.
He said the university had developed over 200 varieties of hybrid seeds and all these varieties were available to the farmers from its seed farms.
He said that during fiscal 2008-09, the university had produced and distributed to farmers seeds and seedlings worth Rs. 3.26 crore. This included 246 tons of paddy seeds, 6.22 tons of vegetable seeds and over a lakh coconut seedlings.
