Over the past few years, the introduction of hybrid variety seeds has increased the production of vegetables such as carrot, cabbage, beetroot and potato by at least 20% in the Nilgiris region of India, despite the area of farming remaining the same.
Five years ago, the total production of all the varieties of hill-grown vegetables in the Nilgiris stood at approximately 140,000 metric tonnes. However, now the production has increased by 20% to 25% per annum and accounts for 172,000 metric tonnes.
There are over 70,300 farming families in the hill district who are cultivating vegetables on around 6,600 hectares of land.
Earlier farmers used to go for two-three crops of vegetables in a year. But now, they plant four crops in one year.
The department also provides 100% subsidised micro irrigation systems, besides other subsidy schemes for vegetable cultivation.
According to records, around 900 hectares of previously uncultivated farming land is now in use as subsidies, hybrid and high yield varieties of vegetables attract farmers.
