The production of one lakh grafted mango seedlings has been started at Kasargod, Pathanakkad Agricultural College Farm. Two lakh mangoes have been collected for this purpose. These sprouted and started grafting by collecting the stalks of the best varieties of flour in the Agricultural College. The college also produces seedlings of the best mangoes such as Firangiladuva, Neelam, Kalapadi, Banganapalli, Alphonsa, Priyur, Mundappa, hybrids Himayudeen Indu Neelam, Himayudeen Indu Kalapadi and native flours Gomavu and Kuttiyattur flour.
The project is being implemented with the assistance of Rs 12 lakh sanctioned by the Agricultural University for the flour nursery project. Out of this, Rs 10 lakh will be spent for production and Rs 2 lakh for protection of mother trees for the coming year. As part of this, a mango orchard will be set up at the Neeleswaram Karuvacheri farm.
The grafting work will be completed by the end of September. Seedlings cost between Rs 60 and Rs 100. In Kasargod district alone, 15000 saplings will be distributed in the first phase. The saplings will be available through the sales outlet at Mannuthi and other institutions of the University. The speciality of grafted seedlings is that they bear fruit within three years.
