Science-based horticultural interventions for improving vegetable productivity in the state of Karnataka, India

Abstract

Scientifically based agricultural interventions to improve vegetable productivity were carried out in four districts (Chikkamagalur, Raichur, Vijayapura and Tumkur) of Karnataka State in India, under the Government of Karnataka (GoK)-sponsored Bhoo Samruddhi project (improving the farm productivity and livelihood of smallholder farmers of Karnataka). The activities included, the demonstration of improved practices under protected cultivation (polyroof and shade nethouses), use of grafted seedlings in tomatoes, IPM methods to address tomato leaf miner damage, introduction of mungbean and vegetable cowpea as rotations or intercrops. As a postharvest strategy, we have demonstrated solar drying process and, good agricultural practices to reduce pesticide use & residues in chili. Our interventions have been successful not only in the target farms, the neighbouring farmers have also started adopting them and with the support of the Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture, GoK, the scaling up of these interventions has commenced.