Farmers urged to adopt drought-resilient indigenous crop varieties
Horticulture officials in Mysuru are encouraging farmers to switch to drought-resilient indigenous crop varieties to combat climate change and erratic rainfall. The initiative is supported by the Desi Seed Producers Company, which promotes organic, traditional seeds to ensure sustainable yields.
Why it matters
Promoting indigenous seeds helps maintain agricultural biodiversity and provides farmers with tools to adapt to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
With the El Nino phenomenon and deficient rainfall posing a threat to horticultural crops, Joint Director of Horticulture, Mysuru, Manjunath Angadi, has urged farmers to adopt preventive measures and prioritise the cultivation of drought-tolerant indigenous crop varieties.
Inaugurating the 12th Annual General Meeting of the Desi Seed Producers Company at the Institution of Engineers Hall in Mysuru on Wednesday, Mr. Angadi said inadequate rainfall could adversely affect horticultural crops by slowing plant growth, delaying flowering, and increasing the incidence of pests and diseases, ultimately reducing yields.
Seed conservationist Shivalli Boregowda, who is also a Director of the company, said farmers should produce and market seeds of traditional crop varieties that are better adapted to changing climatic conditions. He said Sahaja Seeds, the company’s brand name, has been playing a significant role in promoting such climate-resilient indigenous seed varieties.
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