Disease-resistant variant to boost tomato cultivation

A new disease-resistant tomato hybrid ‘Arka Rakshak’ is set to bring a smile to farmers’ faces. Developed by the Indian institute of horticulture research (IIHR) in a bid to achieve high yields and resist diseases like tomato leaf curl virus bacterial wilt and early blight, the variant’s seeds have already been distributed among farmers in North Goa.

“Tomato seedlings are often plagued with the problem of wilting, due to which farmers are reluctant to grow tomatoes. However, this particular variety developed by the IIHR is resistant to wilt,” said Dilip Paranjape, project director, Agriculture Technology Management Agency’s (ATMA), North Goa.

“It has not wilted after farmers grew it in Goa last year. It has proven a hardy variety, therefore,” he said.

Last year, there was a yield of 200kg of tomatoes from a patch measuring 25sqm— it showed that a single plant could produce 11kg of tomatoes. The overall production went up to a few tons.

“If we succeed in this, farmers can go for large-scale tomato cultivation and we can slowly discontinue importing them from other states,” Paranjape said.

ATMA-North Goa is planning to have a continuous year-round programme for self-help groups in Goa, beginning with the rainy season, upto the Rabi season. “We will start with the planting ginger and turmeric, followed by vegetable nurseries in the Rabi season,” he said.

“We are however focusing more on tomato and broccoli this year,” he added.

ATMA and Krishi Vijgyan Kendra (KVK) have sponsored shade-net houses for these self-help groups; some have also been given to them by Zuari Agro, under their CSR programme. These are for farms in Ela, Old Goa; Duler, Bardez; Kavalebaag, Pernem, Valpoi and Bicholim. It costs around Rs 5,000-6,000 to erect small nurseries of 25sqm. The seeds and materials like vermicompost and coco peat are given by ATMA.

While many farmers have already cultivated the seeds and the tomato seedlings are slowly coming up, broccoli is not popular in Goa yet.

“Not many farmers are aware that broccoli fetches a very good sum in the market. There is especially high demand in the markets of the coastal areas because tourists are aware of its nutritional value,” he said.