Athul Lal AG
Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Giving a new dimension to the ongoing International Horti Expo 2010, Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Director GH Shah has proposed a mutual collaboration between the two States in agriculture. Shah introduced the idea of linkage between Kerala and J&K at the seminar on ‘Future Farming’ organised by the State Horticulture Mission and the Agriculture Department as part of the International Horti Expo 2010 here on Saturday. “Like in our state, Kerala too has a subtropical type of climate in the mountainous terrain in the eastern region. There are some fruits, which can grow on low chilly areas. If we can identify those areas in Kerala where night temperature falls below 10 degree Celsius, there is a possibility of growing plants, which require low chilling. This include fruits such as peach, apricot and plum and pome fruits such as apple and pear, which are otherwise not grown in Kerala. Similarly, J&K is interested in trying cultivation of tea and tree tomatoes," GH Shah said.
According to him, the State Government should first take necessary steps to identify areas in Kerala, which would be suitable for cultivating such crops. "First, you have to compile a data regarding minimum temperature of hilly areas particularly in winter. Once you locate certain areas, we can go for plantation of stone and pome fruits, which do not require prolonged winter season," Shah added. The director has said that the J&K Horticulture would supply planting materials and transfer technology for multiplication, propagation and management of crops. "In J&K, we import plant materials even from the US and Europe. So, why can’t we try sharing within our States," said Shah, who has requested cooperation from the SHM-Kerala for launching tea and tree tomato cultivation in J&K. Complementing the Horticulture Expo 2010, Shah who has been the director of Horticulture for the past two years, said that the exhibition is at par with any international expo. "The expo has been organised by and large to the interest of the farmers. There is heterogeneous participation and almost all aspects of horticulture have been considered," Shah added.
(Courtesy : /www.kmsnews.org, 05/12/2010)
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