The Konkon Krishi Vidyapeeth at Dapoli is spearheading experiments in farming techniques and research.

DAPOLI, May 13: There could not have been a more fitting way in which to celebrate its quarter century of existence. The Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth at Dapoli is all set for the commercial release of a hybrid variety of rice named Karjat H1.

This new strain of hybrid rice is developed at the Khopoli farm under the supervision of senior research officer V N Deshpande. The hybrid variety is likely to boost the now-stable per hectare rice production in Maharashtra. It is the third in the series of varieties introduced by the varsity.

But it is not the only feather in the cap of this agricultural university which entered its silver jubilee year on May 8. The varsity generates about seven lakh mango and 12 lakh cashew saplings, and farming implements worth Rs 2 crore are sold every year. The varsity also provides training in producing grafts of mango and cashew saplings. The 600-hectare Vakavli farm has over 25,000 mango trees and 15,000 cashew trees. Director of Farms V H Patil says the method of grafting is taught to the ordinary farmer. The varsity has experimented with a new variety of stoneless alphonso mangoes called Sindhu.

It has 19 research centres spread all over Konkan are engaged in an astonishing variety of activities: rubber plantation, rice seed processing plant and growing strawberries for export. Apart from this, the varsity also conducts experiments in farming techniques. For instance, a seep-proof sheet of silpaulin (synthetic sheet) is used in an ingenious method of irrigation which supplies water as per requirements.

The varsity has a wide range of agro-based products like cashew syrup, black berry (karvand) pickle and Kokam juice. Interestingly, school children are employed to collect the black berries. These children are paid Rs 3 per kilo collection. As per the statistics provided, 85 per cent of these berries go waste in Maharashtra.

One of the four agricultural universities in Maharashtra, this premier institution has gained recognition primarily because it was instrumental in boosting cashew and mango plantation in the surrounding area.

Vice-chancellor Dr A G Sawant proudly presents the statistics. In 1976, around 9,000 hectares were under mango plantation. This rose to 92,000 hectares after 1991. Similarly, around 7,000 hectares were under cashew; by 1991 this had risen to 1,00,000 hectares, thanks to saplings provided by the varsity at non-commercial prices.

Sawant also claims that the university has reversed the trend of unemployed youth migrating to Mumbai. Earlier, the youth found themselves unemployed after the four crucial months of rice plantation. But, now many have opened nurseries which sell saplings and other plants bought from the varsity. Sawant said there were 215 nurseries in Sindhurdurg district and an equal number in Ratnagiri.

The varsity's research in spices cultivation has also been recognised by the Central government. Relatively unknown spices like nutmeg (jaiphal), cinnamon (dalchini), coffee, cocoa, allspices, cardamon and clove are well-nurtured in one of the varsity's locations. While the univeristy flourishes in these fronts, it suffers elsewhere. An establishment, which pays Rs 35 lakh as taxes, is finding it hard to run its various locations.

Many of its centres, including Karjat and Vengurla, do not have basic amenities like concrete sheds and compound walls. The university gets Rs 12 crore grant, of which 83 per cent goes for staff salaries. In the words of Director of Research Raghunath Dumbre. ``Experimentation cannot stop in any field. Surprisingly, government departments like Horticulture, Soil and Water Conservation and Animal Husbandry division have not offered us any help. Instead they have even advised us against any extension work. But, we cannot restrict ourselves to mere academics.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.