iGrain India - Kalburgi. There are signs of farmers' enthusiasm and attraction towards sowing this important pulse in Karnataka, the top producer of pigeon pea (tuvar).
In Karnataka's most prominent producer district - Kalaburgi (Gulbarga), the situation is such that long queues of farmers have started to be seen to buy disease resistant pigeon pea seeds.
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra has succeeded in selling seeds worth about one crore rupees in a single day. Farmers stand in line for hours to buy this seed and wait for their turn.
Under this, the demand for varieties that ripen in less time - GRG 811 and GRG 152 is being seen more because it has more disease resistance. Farmers of Karnataka's neighboring states are also showing great interest in buying it.
This disease resistant pigeon pea seed has been developed by the Agricultural Science University located in Raichur, while it is being sold by the Agricultural Science Center of Kalaburgi.
The sale of this seed started from 27 May. Since the domestic market price of Tuvar is very high and fast, more and more farmers are getting attracted towards its cultivation.
Due to this, there is a possibility of a good increase in the production area of Tuvar in the major producing areas during the current year. 60 tons of Tuvar seed was sold by Krishi Vigyan Kendra in a day while its huge demand is being seen every day.
Last year, Tuvar crop in Karnataka suffered heavy damage due to drought. This time the weather is expected to be normal to a large extent and good rains are expected.