ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi organized Pointed Gourd Field Day cum Kisan Gosthi on 21st June 2019 at Haripur (Kaniyar) village in Badagaon block of Varanasi (U.P.) which was inaugurated by Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG (Hort. Science), ICAR, New Delhi. The Chief Guest of this event along with scientists of ICAR-IIVR and about 100 vegetable growers from nearby villages visited the demonstration plots of pointed gourd varieties developed by ICAR-IIVR in the village wherein, the institute had demonstrated 02 promising varieties of pointed gourd viz., Kashi Alankar and Kashi Suphal and advance line VRPG-141 in small fruited without stripes segment in more than 5ha. area along with improved production technologies like plastic mulch, drip irrigation and fruit fly trap. The farmers showed their great satisfaction on the performance of demonstrated pointed gourd cultivars and said it not only gave better quality but also more yield and revenue than existing local varieties. Healthy discussions among scientists and farmers took place during the field visit and the farmers express their interest in these pointed gourd varieties and demanded more plants which institute will provide in coming season. Addressing the farmers during Kisan Gosthi, Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG (Hort. Science) said that Eastern Uttar Pradesh in general, and Varanasi, Mirzapur, Gazipur and Ballia in particular, are having great potential of growing pointed gourd but due to low yield and more disease infestation in local cultivars, area under this crop is reducing. He appreciated the efforts made by ICAR-IIVR to promote improved varieties of pointed gourd as well as other vegetables in the farmers’ field. Dr. Singh appealed the farmers to visit ICAR-IIVR regularly for quality seeds and technical guidance so that their farm income can be doubled in the coming years which is also a dream of our Hon’ble Prime Minister.
Welcoming the chief guest and farmers on this occasion Dr. P.M. Singh, Head, Crop Improvement Division said that ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi has developed and released 03 promising varieties in pointed gourd viz., Kashi Alankar, Kashi Suphal and Kashi Amulya which are widely accepted by growers in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to high yield (average productivity 230 q/ha) and quality. He further said that since inception, this institute has developed 102 improved varieties/hybrids in 27 vegetable crops along with production and protection technologies which are disseminated to farmers’ field through various extension programme and projects like Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav, Tribal Sub Plan, Farmers FIRST Project, Scheduled Caste Sub Plan etc. On this occasion, farmers also shared their experience and success stories of ICAR-IIVR developed technologies. During technical session problems of farmers in vegetable farming were discussed and solutions were provided by the scientists. On this occasion, scientists from ICAR-IIVR Drs. Neeraj Singh, Achuit Singh and Shubhadeep Roy also shared their views for doubling the farm income. At the end, farmers were requested to develop small kitchen garden at their door step for family’s nutrition and seeds of improved varieties of 10 different vegetable crops along with crop extension folders were given to each of the farmer present during the programme.