Researchers in Kashmir develop new hybrid variety of tomato for Indian farmers

Tomato plants are native to South America but their cultivation is done throughout the world. It is one of the most common and widely used vegetables in India. China is the largest producer of tomatoes followed by India, the US, Turkey and Egypt. As per data, India produces around 11 percent of the total production of tomatoes in the world and states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orrisa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal & Bihar are the major producers of key vegetable.

Recently the scientists of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology, popularly known as SKUAST have developed hybrid tomato variety for the farmers.

These tomato plants are quite different from the local varieties and can grow much faster as compared to other varieties with large quantity of crop. Researchers and students from SKUAST are looking after the project. Researchers are hopeful that in future these hybrid seed varieties will bring revolution in tomato crop and farmers will get huge benefits from it.

The developmental process in Jammu and Kashmir has taken a pace from quite a while now. Besides, infrastructure development, the government is giving much emphasis to the agriculture sector. The production of tomato in the Union Territory would be increased with the help of hybrid seed varieties and this will help in doubling farmers income.