Since there is a huge demand for cucurbits like pointed gourd, ivy gourd, bitter gourd, spine gourd, teasel gourd , Melothria, etc, among farmers and consumers, special attention should be given on organised scientific cultivation of these cucurbits for channelising them towards improved productivity, utilisation and expansion.
There is a tremendous potential for development of these cucurbits in the country, particularly in Odisha. Keeping this in view, a three-day national seminar-cum-workshop on “Strategies for Improvement, Enhancing Productivity and Utilisation of Cucurbits” will be held by the Central Horticultural Experiment Station here from Friday.
Besides, some varieties of ivy gourd, teasel gourd and pointed gourd, this station has also developed a new synthetic vegetable species to make spine gourd (Desi Kankada) cultivation easier and their availability during off season.
Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy and Director (Horticulture) of IIHR, Bangalore SK Chadha will attend the event as guests while several noted scientists from the ICAR institutes, SAUs, KVKs, students and research scholars, who are associated with research and development on cucurbits, from across the country will participate.