Agriculture College to Focus on Research Programmes on Rainfed Crops.

With a view to utilise the potential of the Tiruchirapalli district, The Agriculture College and Research Institute at Kudumiyanmalai will focus on research programmes on rainfed crops and jack fruit cultivation.

The Tiruchirapalli district accounts for a large rain-fed area and this is suited for millets and pulses. In these areas, the college would take up research projects.

Senguttuvan, Dean of the Institute told that, the horticulture wing of the college will focus on jack fruit. This fruit suited for the red soil in the belt. He said, on jack fruit, it is only in Palur near Cuddalore that research is being conducted.

Research would be taken up in course of time on quality vegetables particularly brinjal. The Dean also said, “The brinjal variety in Alangudi block is popular among the farmers. The college would explore the possibility of developing it.”

On controlling termite problem prevailing in the area, the college would also focus. The soil in and around Vayalogam was prone to termite attack, which is found not only on trees but also in concrete structures, he said.

The college would have state-of-the-art infrastructure. This state-of-the-art infrastructure includes soil testing laboratory, entomology unit, pathology laboratory, plant breeding unit. In course of time classrooms, hostels for boys and girls, quarters for staff would be built.

The progress of the work was inspected by Minister for Agriculture, R. Duraikannu recently and he also ascertained the facility available for students. The bio-fertiliser unit being maintained by the Agriculture Department at STAMIN campus was also inspected him.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/