A single pro tray having 98 seedlings of vegetables is being sold for ₹98. Another with 101 seedlings costs ₹101. This is part of an initiative taken by the Department of Horticulture to encourage urban farming enthusiasts visiting the three-day horticulture and floriculture show under way at Kadri Park to take up vegetable cultivation. The show began on Saturday.
The pro trays have a variety of seedlings such as pumpkin, cucumber, luffa, tomato, brinjal, chilli and the like. “It is an attempt to create interest among people to grow their own vegetables by cultivating them in their back or front yard,” said H.R. Nayak, Deputy Director, Department of Horticulture, Dakshina Kannada.
The department has raised 25,000 seedlings in its Maddadkka nursery in Belthangady taluk for sale at the show, said Janaki V., Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture (Farms).
In addition, the department is selling saplings of grafted pepper variety having resistance to wilt disease, hy brid mango, mangala and inter-c mangala varieties of arecanut, cocoa, papaya, drumstick and the like, for bet ween ₹10 and ₹28 a sapling.
A model of a ship made using about 37,000 flowers and orchids, another of a jeep with between 10,000 to 25,000 chrysanthemums, and a huge kettle made of flowers are attracting visitors at the centre of the park. Ms. Janaki said that 25,000 carnations, 5,000 roses, 5,000 white dice, 2,500 blue dice, and 3,000 orchids were used to make the ship model.
The department is selling saplings of budded rose, anthurium, gerbera, hibiscus, and other flowers, vegetables and fruits.
Entry is free for the physically-challenged, children with special needs, and schoolchildren wearing uniform who come in groups with their teachers. The general entry fee is ₹20 for adults and ₹10 for children. The show will end on Monday evening.
