A new variety of cluster beans, which is rich in fibre and vegetable protein, has been developed by the Agricultural College and Research Institute (ACRI) here.
The new variety, MDU-1, will be formally released in Coimbatore on January 6 after clearance from the State Variety Release Committee.
V. Swaminathan, Head, Department of Horticulture, said the new variety was a result of five years of intensive research and field trials.
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“Fibre-rich food is recommended for people these days to fight cancer. Our variety takes care of that aspect and, moreover, it has vegetable protein which will not block the coronary blood vessels. Animal protein is risky for blood vessels since the chances of development of blocks are more,” he told
Dr Swaminathan said that the ACRI had made arrangements with two seed companies to undertake mass production of cluster bean seeds for distribution to farmers. Locally, the production had already started to popularise MDU-1 among the horticultural community.
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“This will be the seventh variety release by our department. Earlier, we had developed new varieties of brinjal, snakegourd, bittergourd and onion,” he added.
To tap solar energyACRI Dean C. Chinnusamy said that a decision had been taken to tap solar energy in a big way to meet the power requirements of the campus.
A proposal for Rs 1.56 crore to set up a solar plant and solar panels had been submitted to the State government for approval.
“We want to make the ACRI a green energy institution. We can use solar energy for our offices, departments, research labs and water pumping requirements on the campus,” he added.