To Prevent from Extinction, Dept. Plans for Land Expansion of GI–Tagged Horticulture Crops
Nursery Today Desk
New Delhi: Many GI-tagged horticulture crops are feared to go extinct as areas under the cultivation of these crops have gone very low. The area of cultivation of Mysuru mallige (Jasmine) came down to 0.5 acres. It is because of the departments’ efforts that it has gone up to nearly 5 acres. Similarly, GI crops such as Nanjangud rasabale (banana), Devanahalli pummelo (pomelo) and Mattu Gulla bandane (brinjal) are grown by less than 50 farmers in less than 15 acres area of cultivation.
Horticulture Department and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have brought an action plan to increase their areas of cultivation and prevent them from getting extinct. The work has also started in many districts.
Along with providing subsidies and education to the farmers on the cultivation of these crops, Horticulture Department under MGNREGA will also provide manpower and financial support to these farmers.
GI tagged crops have a peculiar nature and can be grown only in specific regions according to the tag. HM Krishna Murthy, Joint Director (Biotechnology), Horticulture Department emphasized the need for expansion of area of cultivation of these crops seeing its drastic reduction.
Officials are reaching out to farmers and encouraging them to grow these varieties in every district under the plan. A senior official from the Horticulture Department explained that they will grow the seeds in their nurseries after sourcing them from an authentic farmer. After that, they will reach out to the farmers and handhold them throughout the cultivation period. Planting materials will also be supplied to farmers at subsidized prices along with guidance to tackle diseases.
They added that specific interventions for every crop are being planned such as guidance to tackle diseases will be given for Nanjangud rasabale which is prone to Panama Wilt disease. Likewise, labor-intensive crop, such as Mysuru Mallige will be supported in the form of manpower help.
The department is also focusing on better branding of products and development of conservatories and museums. They are also working on strengthening of farmer’s association and forming associations to create a community of farmers for every crop.
