Indo-Israel centre for vegetables opens next month

Impressed by the highly advanced agricultural techniques demonstrated in Haryana,Punjab,and also Karnataka and Gujarat,have asked Israeli experts to develop a similar project in their states. The experts,however,already have their hands full with the ongoing work in the five states mentioned above. Dr Avri Bar Zur,Counsellor,International Cooperation-Science and Agriculture,Israel,said: “We have got requests from Punjab,Karnataka and Gujarat,but we are too busy to start work there. It also depends on getting a good partner that can do the intensive work required.”

The Gharaunda centre focuses on the use of polyhouses,insect net-houses,walk-in tunnels and other plastic cover techniques to increase the yield of vegetables.

Talking to The Indian Express,Haryana Joint Director,Horticulture,Dr Arjun Singh Saini said: “By using such protected structures,a farmer can get multiple cycles of high productivity in tomatoes,cucumbers,capsicum and cauliflowers in one year,as compared to only one or two cycles in open production. Farmers can also make good profit from off-season demand,” he said.

On an experimental basis,Dr Saini said,the centre took up off-season cultivation of chillies in the protected structures earlier this year. “We were surprised by the fantastic yield of chillies. We have now developed the protocol for growing many vegetables under protected cultivation. The turnout of farmers at the Gharaunda centre is very impressive. However,imparting proper training to farmers regarding all aspects of protected cultivation is very important. If everything is not done according to the specified techniques,it can be worse than open field cultivation,” he warned.

The Gharaunda centre also showcases advanced micro-irrigation and fertigation methods to maximise yield and save water,and development of proper nursery standards for production of disease-free seedlings. These high-quality seedlings of vegetables are being grown at the hi-tech nursery in Gharaunda,and will be available for sale to farmers after the centre is inaugurated. The cost of these seedlings has not been worked out yet by the horticulture department.