Farmers told to use modern technology in horticulture

Rampachodavaram: Farmers should earn profits in horticulture cultivation by making use of advanced technology through NREGS and TRICOR, retired director of Horticulture University Dr K Purushotham said. He inaugurated the three-day state-level workshop on modern technology in the production of cashew for 70 farmers from the Agency areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts held under the aegis of Directorate of Central Cashewnut and Cocoa Development, Kochi, at Krishi Vignana Kendra (KVK) in Pandirimamidi of East Godavari district on Thursday. Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Purushotham has called upon the farmers to cultivate high quality grafted plants according to the suggestions of the scientists and get high yield by following fertilizer management system. He urged the tribal farmers to attain financial freedom by taking up horticulture cultivation. A He observed that the tribals can eke out their livelihood by taking up cashew cultivation which is suitable in the Agency area. He further said that many special programmes are being implemented for tribals through employment guarantee scheme and the government is taking steps to bring a significant change in the lives of the tribals by providing works. He informed that only 500 grams of cashew nut is being extracted from each tree in Andhra Pradesh whereas yield of 1,400 grams from each cashew tree is being obtained in Maharashtra. He released a book on better management systems on the occasion. Speaking on this occasion, Dean of Horticulture of YSR Horticulture University, Dr M Lakshmi Narayana Reddy, said that our country is earning foreign exchange to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore by exporting raw cashew nuts through cashew cultivation annually. He reminded that the Portuguese used to plant cashewtrees in the coast to prevent soil erosion and the cultivation has now spread from sand soil to red soil. He stated that the cashew cultivation is being taken up in the State in 1.83 lakh hectares. He explained that cashew cultivation is being taken up in twin Godavari districts, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and in other coastal districts. A He termed cashew as the crop which has enhanced the value of the farmers and he suggested that high yield could be attained by cultivation of grafted pants instead of seeds and added that yield could be enhanced by taking up drip irrigation. University extension director MB Nageswara Rao assured that KVK would make efforts to provide technical assistance to the farmers in connection with horticulture cultivation with the cooperation of Directorate, Central Cashewnut and Cocoa Development, Kochi. ITDA horticulture officer Varaprasad said that the tribal welfare department has taken up cultivation on a large scale with the cooperation of KVK and taking new initiatives through the schemes like NREGS and TRICOR. He informed that nurseries have been restored in the Agency area to provide high quality grafted plants which are suitable for local requirements. KVK programme coordinator A Srinivas, scientists Dhanasri, Govardhana Rao and V Bhaskar Rao and vice principal of Horticulture Polytechnic College M Sathi Raju were present on the occasion.