The Nilgiris: Farmers at Kotagiri in the Nilgiris district have expressed joy over the surge in the yield of Zucchini, thus leaving them fetch a bounty.
The Nilgiris: Farmers at Kotagiri in the Nilgiris district have expressed joy over the surge in the yield of Zucchini, thus leaving them fetch a bounty.
Though a majority of farmers in the district cultivate vegetables like carrot, beetroot, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip and beans, there are farmers who prefer cultivating exotic vegatables like Zucchini, Chinese lettuce, Broccoli, Eisberg etc, as they yield good profits.
Of late, many farmers from Kookalthorai, Masakkal, Odanthurai, V.O.V Nagar in Kotagiri are showing interest in cultivating exotic vegetables. Especially, farmers prefer to cultivate Zucchini, due to the increasing market demand, through the year.
Though Zucchini has its origin from Italy, the usage of the yellow colored, juicy vegetable has considerably increased in Indian market, due to its numerous health benefits. Tonnes of the vegetable cultivated in the Nilgiris are being exported to many countries.
"First the cultivable land should be leveled and the Zucchini seeds should be sowed. Regular watering and using rich fertilizers will help yield quality Zucchinis' by 35 to 55 days from the time of sowing. At present, the wholesale price of Zucchini is Rs 25/kg. This reduces the cost of transporting them to the vegetable mandi", said Babu a farmer from Kookalthorai in Kotagiri.
He added that "As the harvest time is very short, many farmers prefer to cultivate them in large scale. A good yield will yield us reasonable profits."
Though a majority of farmers in the district cultivate vegetables like carrot, beetroot, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip and beans, there are farmers who prefer cultivating exotic vegatables like Zucchini, Chinese lettuce, Broccoli, Eisberg etc, as they yield good profits.
Of late, many farmers from Kookalthorai, Masakkal, Odanthurai, V.O.V Nagar in Kotagiri are showing interest in cultivating exotic vegetables. Especially, farmers prefer to cultivate Zucchini, due to the increasing market demand, through the year.
Though Zucchini has its origin from Italy, the usage of the yellow colored, juicy vegetable has considerably increased in Indian market, due to its numerous health benefits. Tonnes of the vegetable cultivated in the Nilgiris are being exported to many countries.
"First the cultivable land should be leveled and the Zucchini seeds should be sowed. Regular watering and using rich fertilizers will help yield quality Zucchinis' by 35 to 55 days from the time of sowing. At present, the wholesale price of Zucchini is Rs 25/kg. This reduces the cost of transporting them to the vegetable mandi", said Babu a farmer from Kookalthorai in Kotagiri.
He added that "As the harvest time is very short, many farmers prefer to cultivate them in large scale. A good yield will yield us reasonable profits."