Seed Industry

Production of Quality Seedlings Lead to Prestige and Prosperity Quality seedlings are essential for good growth and performance of vegetable crops. Hence, the practice of seedling production is emerging as a profession and commercial activity. During the past, as most of the vegetable varieties were open pollinated, farmers produced the seedlings at a relatively low cost by preparing their own nursery beds. However, due to increase in demand for seeds of hybrid varieties which cost much more than the open pollinated varieties, many progressive farmers and agriculture entrepreneurs have taken –up the production of quality seedlings using seedling trays as a commercial activity. One of such enterprising farmers, Mr. Prakash was cultivating finger millets, paddy, marigold and vegetables on 2.5 acres of ancestral land. His crops were plagued with diseases and low yield. Then, he approached Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore to find out the solution to his prob...