As part of its seeds research program, the Vegetable Research Station, Rajendranagar is supplying kits of open pollinated varieties of vegetable seeds so to help people grow veggies on their terrace and backyards.
Under the seed production program, the agriculture scientists at Vegetable Research Station Rajendranagar are producing different seeds of open pollinated varieties that include Tomato, Brinjal, Okra, Bottle Gourd, Snake Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Ridge Gourd, Cooking Melon, Dolichos Bean, Cluster Bean, Rosella, Amaranthus, Fenugreek, Palak and Coriander. Besides, they are also producing Onion and Garlic seeds at the station.
While explaining about the vegetable seeds kits being distributed from the station every year, Dr.D.Anitha Kumari, Senior Scientist (Ento) and Head of the Vegetable Research Station, said, “The research station is mandate with research on crop improvement, collection, evaluation of varieties, development of production and protection technologies ever since the establishment in the year 1969. However, distribution of vegetable seed kits has been introduced somewhere in the year 2008 in which nearly 15 varieties of seeds are being distributed among the people, especially the garden enthusiasts who are fond of raising vegetables in their backyard or terrace.”
As part of the All India Coordinated Research Program, she said, we generally prepare kits of different varieties of open pollinated vegetable seeds and distribute them at Rs.100/- per pack. “We generally produce open pollinated seeds in the station that help people secure the seeds from the grownup vegetables in their backyards or terrace. The seeds can be multiplied and can be used for next seasons. These vegetable varieties are climate adoptable and can be grown easily anywhere on the top of the house, in backyards or open fields,” She elaborated.
Welcoming the initiative being introduced almost 14 years ago by the vegetable research station Rajendranagar and attracting the garden enthusiasts, Srinivas Harkara, a Supreme Court Advocate and a founder of City of Terrace Garden (CTG) group, said “Passion of terrace and backyard gardening grows founder in recent years especially after the whiplash of pandemic where people forced to confined to their houses and are afraid of bringing any food or veggies from outside due to spread of contagion.”
Moreover, he said, the chemical-induced vegetables available in the markets are rapidly taking a toll on the health of the masses that prompted a demand for organic veggies among the people. Besides, raising backyard and terrace gardens amplifies this passion. “Encourage people to grow vegetables on their terrace and backyards is the need of the hour but it should be fully supported with the provision of required medium and material by the government,” he suggested.
