Lucknow farmers take to cultivation of exotic vegetables
Being grown locally, the exotic vegetables would soon be available at Lucknow markets at affordable prices and reach the common man’s platter
Broccoli, bok choy, lettuce, zucchini, and other exotic vegetables, which so far were available only in plush supermarkets or malls, would now be available in the local ‘sabzi mandis’ and that too at much cheaper prices.
Thanks to the local farmers, who have gradually shifted from growing traditional vegetables to exotic ones. “This year, we have distributed more than 30,000 broccoli saplings to the farmers after they showed interest in its farming. The change is a good one. These exotic veggies, which so far were grown in other states or were brought from the market in Delhi, would now be available in the local markets at affordable prices,” said Shailendra Rajan, director ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow.
On a similar pattern, other farmers have also shown interest in the farming of other exotic vegetables including, bok choy, lettuce, Swiss chard, Zucchini etc, the director CISH said.
He however said changing the rigid mindset of the farmers was not an easy task. “Initially, we did the survey but barring one small group of farmers, none showed any interest, perhaps due to lack of knowledge. We distributed the plants of broccoli to these farmers who did well. It was then the farmers’ mindset began to change, and this year we have distributed many saplings among them,” he added.
He said, being grown locally, the exotic vegetables would soon be available at the market at affordable prices and thus would reach the common man’s platter.
