Manish Kumar
Post news network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 18: Cultivation of high quality banana in the state has got a boost with the a growth stimulating spray developed by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore, leading to overwhelming results in Khurda district of the state.
The micronutrient enhancing product, named “Banana Special” is reported to increase the yield of the fruits by up to 10-12 per cent.
The spray was tried by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Khurda, from 2014 and is reported to have led to better yield and better fruit quality.
The use of Banana Special reportedly led to an 11.24 per cent increase in yield by bunch weight as well as finger size.
“Use of the spray results in a cost of Rs 800 per hectare. The deficiency correction is seen in 24-48 hours. AK Dash, a scientist of KVK, was deputed to undergo training at IIHR to understand the product and demonstrate it in Khurda district,” KVK head PN Ananth told Orissa POST.
KVK has already procured from IIHR the licence to produce this micronutrient and to establish a small-scale unit at its institution itself to distribute it to the farmers of Khurdha district.
KVK, which is facing a fund crunch, has urged national organizations to come together to further research and for trials of new products, said Ananth.
