Amaravati/Kochi:The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) at Mannutty in Thrissur has invited proposals from interested parties to set up franchises outside the state to popularise the commercial cultivation of hybrid seedless watermelon varieties developed by the varsity.
Kerala agri varsity to popularise hybrid seedless watermelon varieties
Dr. Pradeep Kumar T, Chief Scientist, Kerala Agricultural University, said they are looking for franchises outside Kerala to popularise the commercial cultivation of hybrid seedless watermelon varieties developed by the varsity.
watermelon
Dr. Pradeep Kumar T, Chief Scientist, KAU said, "This technology is now slowly picking up in Kerala. For the last 3-4 years, farmers have been purchasing seeds from the Department of Vegetable Science at the University. We are supplying seeds at the rate of Rs 30,000 per kg and for cultivating one acre, one requires only 200 gm seeds. Imported seeds cost you more than 3.5-4 lakh per kg. Now, we are looking for franchises outside Kerala to multiply the seeds and make them available to the farmers.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar T
Christened Shonima and Swarna, these hybrid varieties were developed by the varsity in 2015. Shonima, the red-fleshed seedless triploid hybrid, weighs 3.92 kg and Swarna, bright yellow-fleshed seedless triploid hybrid, weighs 3.18 kg on average.