The percentage of farmers switching from subsistence agriculture to commercial horticulture in Gujarat is on the rise.
The demand for quality planting material is growing. The declaration of agri export zones for vegetables in Gujarat would further boost demand for planting material for vegetables.
According to sources, hybrid seeds are extremely expensive but germination in nurseries run by farmers is lower. Control of diseases is also difficult.
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Quality seedings produced in controlled conditions through application of growth hormones would produce superior materials. These would help farmers save time and cultivate the early crop which fetches better prices in market.
The more educated of the farmers accept new seeds quicker. The area under vegetables and fruits were likely to benefit the most from new generation planting materials.
Modern-style fruit and vegetable cultivation require investment of about Rs 1-2 crore depending on the level of automation. Use of disease-free quality planting materials would then result in excellent returns.
Sources said demand may be as high as 20 million young plants per annuam. Young planting material were avaialable for crops like capsicum, tomato, chillies, cucurbits, banana, papaya, kundru and gourds.