Promises 800 kg/acre, High Yielding Black gram Variety

National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban in collaboration with Department of Agriculture has conducted field day on 6-7-2017 entitled “High yielding blackgram variety for summer irrigated season” at Therkukottai village, Thiruvonam block, Thanjavur district. More than 100 farmers participated in the field day. The features of high yielding varieties viz., VBN 6 and VBN 8 with resistance to yellow mosaic disease as a replacement for ADT 5 blackgram was well explained in the function.

The function was presided by Dr. K. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and Mr. P.N. Vedanarayanan, IAS (Retd.), Former Vigilance Commissioner, Dr. V. Ravi, Director, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, Dr. K. Ganesamurthy, Director, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, TNAU, Coimbatore, Mr. R. Krishnakumar, Joint Director of Agriculture, Thanjavur District and Dr. K. Samiayyan, Dean, AC&RI, Echankottai, Thanjavur graced the occasion. Dr. V. Ravi, in his inaugural address explained the latest varieties and stressed the importance of improved agronomic practices. He said that ADT 5 blackgram variety was predominantly grown during the summer irrigated season in the past. He explained that VBN 6 has two to three blooming nature as that of ADT 5 along with resistance to yellow mosaic disease.

Dr. K. Samiayyan, in his speech invited the farmers to visit the National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban and Agricultural College and Research Institute, Echankottai, Thanjavur for their seed requirement as well as for clarifying their doubts on pulses cultivation. Mr. R. Krishnakumar, Joint Director of Agriculture, Thanjavur District has explained various subsidy schemes of Tamil Nadu Government related to pulses and the solar powered pumping system.

The Vice-Chancellor of TNAU, Dr. K. Ramasamy in his speech requested the farmers to select and cultivate newly released high yielding yellow mosaic disease resistant varieties. He also requested the farmers to come forward to use solar powered pumping system for irrigation which are available under subsidy scheme from the Tamil Nadu Government. Mr. P.N. Vedanarayanan, IAS (Retd.), Former Vigilance Commissioner in his special address said that the increase in cost of inputs and reduction in the price of farm produce is a big challenge to the farmers. Hence farmers in the respective areas should coordinate among themselves to sell their farm produce in a collective manner to fetch an attractive price.

 Dr. K. Ganesamurthy, Director (CPBG) in his speech, explained the features of VBN 6 and VBN 8 blackgram varieties released by the National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban. He also explained about the production of foundation and certified seeds under ICAR Seed hub scheme. Mr. Rathinevel, President, ATMA of Thiruvonam block shared his experience of growing VBN 6 blackgram variety. Mr.Chandran, a progressive farmer, narrated his experience of obtaining seed yield of 800 kg per acre by the cultivation of VBN 6 blackgram. He also explained about the various agro techniques adopted during the cultivation. He explained that VBN 6 blackgram has multi blooming nature as that of ADT 5 and resistant to yellow mosaic virus disease.

During the field day, Dr. K. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU and Mr. P.N. Vedanarayanan, IAS (Retd.), Former Vigilance Commissioner, Dr. V. Ravi, Director, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, Dr. K. Ganesamurthy, Director, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, TNAU, Coimbatore, Mr. R. Krishnakumar, Joint Director of Agriculture, Thanjavur District, Dr. N.Manivannan, Professor and Head, National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban, Scientists from NPRC, Vamban and Agricultural Research Station, Pattukkottai, Officials from Department of Agriculture, Thanjavur visited the field of VBN 6 grown by Mr. K. Dhandayuthapani, Progressive farmer at Therkukottai. They explained the superiority of VBN 6 to the participating farmers. More than 100 farmers participated in the field day and the exhibition organised by the National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban.