COE provides quality plant material to benefit farmers

Tirupati: The Centre of Excellence (COE) for Vegetables and Flowers taken up under Indo-Israel Agriculture Projects at Kuppam has been functioning successfully in providing quality plant material to farmers and imparting technical know-how to them.

The project was taken up in 22.68 acres at Pedda Bangarunatham of Kuppam mandal which was approved by the Government of India with the financial outlay of Rs.9 crores. This was inaugurated in January this year by the then chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

There are 19 poly houses in this centre which include hi-tech poly houses, naturally ventilated poly houses and shaded ones etc., According to one official, there were about 300 poly houses in the district but majority of them were not genuine while at this centre of excellence they fulfil all parameters.

The centre has the capacity of producing two crore plants and will be supplied with subsidy. For instance, grafting plants of tomato, brinjal etc., cost about Rs.6 each for which farmers need to pay Rs.1.5 only. Bitter guard, bottle guard etc., cost Rs.8 and farmers have to pay Rs.2 each for them.

The COE has entered an MoU with ICRISAT for producing quality plant material which are yielding positive results, said the Assistant Director of Horticulture V Koteswara Rao. He told The Hans India, that farmers can visit the COE for awareness on various techniques. They have been using solar power at poly houses which can be studied by the farmers as they can get benefitted by going for that option.