PM Narendra Modi To Launch 109 Climate-responsive, Nutrient-rich Crop Varieties On August 11

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a total of 109 improved, climate-responsive, nutrient-rich varieties of various annual and horticultural crops on August 11. These crops will be inaugurated at Bharat Ratna C Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, New Delhi. Horticultural crops comprise mainly fruits, vegetables, ornamental, aromatic, plantation, and medicinal plants. According to Local 18 Kannada, among these crops, there are 2 cashew hybrids developed at Puttur’s Directorate of Cashew Research. 2 coconut and cocoa varieties developed by ICAR- Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) are also included in these 109 nutrient-rich varieties. This special program is being organised as part of the event marking the completion of 100 days of the central government’s 3rd term. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also inaugurate the Nethra-Jumbo 1 Hybrid and the Nethra Ganga 1 Hybrid varieties.

About The Nethra-Jumbo 1 Hybrid

The director of the Puttur DCR, Dinakara Adiga and his team developed the Nethra-Jumbo 1 Hybrid variety. This breed saves labour costs to a significant extent. This variety comprises nuts weighing 12 grams and more than 90 per cent are of the same size. By processing 100 kg of these nuts, people can obtain 29-30 Kilograms of the kernel (the part that is inside the shell). This hybrid also has a higher-grade kernel (W130) than the existing export standard grade W180. Apart from this, the Nethra-Jumbo 1 Hybrid variety saves Rs 16,000 labour costs on sowing seeds for a one-tonne yield. Also, at the current market price, the large-size seed fetches about Rs 10,000 more per ton. A total additional profit of Rs 26000 per tonne will be available for the cultivators and their pulp. can also be peeled easily. The labour cost of the Nethra-Jumbo 1 Hybrid is saved in the factory as well.

About the Nethra Ganga 1 Hybrid

Previous director-in-charge Gangadhara Nayak and his team had developed the Nethra Ganga 1 Hybrid. This variety has big nuts (12-13 grams) and it is also a cluster-bearing variety with a good yield. Nethra Ganga 1 Hybrid starts flowering within a couple of years of planting and produces flowers and nuts for a longer period (from December to April). This variety is suitable for cultivation in a solid compact system as it responds well to tillage (the preparation of land for growing crops).