India: Research takes a new direction
The council director general, N K Krishna Kumar has outlined some of the plans for the project going forward.
He said that climate changes could make for a big challenge if crops were to face increased temperatures, excessive levels of rainfall and increased pest and disease attacks.
He said research would focus on the introduction of hybridization and the improvement of post harvest technology.
"Unlike western countries, the number of farmers with small holdings is increasing in India but unless our cultivation practices suit these farmers, horticulture cannot be adopted by them," said Kumar.
He said there was a need for research into micronutrient uptake, which, he says, is not considered currently.
He also revealed that there would be consideration of alternative crops, such as apples, pears and peaches on drier land and in temperate zones.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
