ICAR Unveils Kashi Manu Spinach and Kashi Tapas Tomato Varieties for Enhanced Crop Resilience and Increased Farmer Income

On its 96th Foundation and Technology Day, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) unveiled two innovative tomato and spinach varieties, Kashi Tapas and Kashi Manu, marking a significant advancement in agricultural productivity and food security. These new varieties promise significant benefits for both farmers and consumers, particularly due to their resilience in adverse climatic conditions.

Kashi Manu Spinach: A Nutritional and Economic Boon

Kashi Manu, a variant of water spinach, brings a multitude of benefits to the table. Traditionally grown in waterlogged areas, water spinach is valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Rich in fiber, iron, and essential vitamins, it aids digestion and is particularly beneficial for individuals with anemia. However, traditional cultivation methods are labor-intensive and often expose the plant to harmful water pollutants.

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research in Varanasi has revolutionized the cultivation of water spinach by developing a technique for growing it in upland field conditions. This advancement simplifies the cultivation process, eliminates the need for waterlogged conditions, and ensures a cleaner, pollutant-free produce.

The Kashi Manu variety can be harvested multiple times annually, ensuring a steady income and nutritional security for farmers. Its adaptability to both seed and vegetative propagation makes it suitable for year-round cultivation. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it is highly beneficial for health and can be grown quickly in diverse soil and climatic conditions, offering substantial advantages to farmers.

Kashi Tapas Tomato: A High-Yield Hybrid

Kashi Tapas, a hybrid tomato variety, was developed and approved for commercial cultivation in Uttar Pradesh in 2022. This indeterminate plant variety is characterized by its ability to set fruit even at high temperatures exceeding 34°C during the day and 18°C at night. The fruits, which mature 100-105 days post-transplantation, are harvested from February through June. Kashi Tapas tomatoes maintain a consistent size (40-45 grams) and vibrant red color throughout the harvesting period, boasting an impressive average yield of 44.49 tonnes per hectare.

One of the standout features of Kashi Tapas is its resilience during storage. With physiological losses limited to 10.69% over six days at room temperature, this variety ensures that a significant portion of the produce remains marketable and consumable, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and increasing profitability for farmers.

The introduction of Kashi Manu and Kashi Tapas marks a significant advancement in agricultural practices, particularly for regions prone to challenging growing conditions. These varieties not only enhance crop yield and quality but also contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of farmers. ICAR is paving the way for a more secure and prosperous agricultural future by providing crops that are resilient, easy to cultivate, and nutritionally rich.

As these varieties gain popularity among growers, they promise to bring about a positive transformation in the agricultural sector, ensuring food security and economic prosperity for farming communities across India.