To provide an alternative method of cultivation to farmers, the Horticulture Department has decided to introduce, for the first time, the lucrative poly greenhouse method for the cultivation of cucumber and capsicum, and flower crop of marigold.
Collector K. Nanthakumar inaugurated a 1000-square metre poly greenhouse erected at the model farm at Sundaramudayan near here, with interline micro drippers for irrigation, fertigation and fogging system for the purpose of demonstrating the efficacy of the method to the farmers.
About 250 farmers have visited the greenhouse and some of them evinced interest in setting up the house for cultivating hybrid varieties of cucumber and capsicum, which commanded good market in Kerala, B. Ilango, Assistant Director of Horticulture, said.
Stating that the Centre has made available the 1,000 square metre poly greenhouse under the National Horticulture Mission and the State Planning Commission, 5,000 sq m poly greenhouse under the State Balanced Growth Fund with 50 per cent subsidy to the farmers, he said a 1,000 sq m shed could be erected at an estimated cost of Rs. 9.5 lakh.
The Nammalvar Agriculture College at Peraiyur, near Kamudhi, has come forward to erect a 1,000 sq m poly greenhouse and the Collector presented the work order to its Correspondent Ahmed Yasin after he presented a cheque for Rs. 4.75 lakh towards beneficiary’s contribution.
The houses with ultra virus plastic sheets were ideally suited for this high light intensity district as the recommended crops could be grown under controlled atmosphere, he said.
