Horticulture

In jackfruit plants, both male and hermaphrodite flowers are borne. The male flowers will drop naturally. For better fruit set, spray the plants with Bavistin and Planofix (2ml in 10lts of water) for 2-3 times.

Tissue culture banana can be planted throughout the year only by avoiding the time of heavy rains.

Planting of banana depends on its variety. In case of Robust and Dwarf Cavendish, 1.5m x 1.5cm and 1.8m x 1.8 cm spacing can be adopted. In case of bantala and tall varieties, it should be 2.0m to 2.5m in both rows.

Drumstick, banana, guava, papaya, etc. can be planted besides vegetables as perennial plants. If the kitchen garden is large, she can also plant the fruit plants like mango, sapota, coconut, etc.

According to different seasons, various leafy vegetables can be available in our kitchen garden. Therefore, along with vegetable beds, four to five beds should be earmarked for green leafy vegetables. A fifteen days interval is ideal for sowing of leafy vegetables on rotation basis to get greens throughout the year.

• Q. B.-1A 21-29
• Kufrij Joti
• Shakti
• Kufri sundari
• Kufri Chandramukhee

As now a days, various types of diseases are seen among human beings due to use of chemical fertilizers, poisonous pesticides and insecticides in farming. So, the agricultural scientists with their research findings give more importance to organic farming which is safer for human body. The organic products also have high demand in market. Therefore, awareness should be created among the farm women to use the organic manures and bio-fertilizers in their kitchen gardens. Inorganic fertilizers along with organic fertilizers may be used depending upon type of crops.

In our state, floriculture has a great demand in market and we are in shortage of its production. So, the floriculturists search the neighbouring states to bring and do business in Odisha. Floriculture will be a profitable enterprise for farm women if a strong marketing channel can be developed. They can opt for the flowers like tuberose, marigold, jasmin and rose.

In day to day life, spices are very essential for farm women. They should go for its production in their back yards. The possible spices which can be grown in the background are: ginger, turmeric, coriander, fenugreek, methi, mustard, etc.

Annual drumstick plants are available. When the plants are 3’ height, the tip of the plant should be broken to encourage branching. It will come to flower within 4 months of planting. Drumstick plants should be planted in sunny location.

In papaya plants, sex variation is very much remarkable. If it is completely male plant, it will not produce any fruit. Better cultural manipulations produce better crop in papaya.

in a pumpkin vine both male and female flowers are found. If proper pollination is not effected, the fruit will dry. Besides cultural manipulations, fertilizer application and irrigation are important.

The vigorous growth of the pumpkin plant is due to excess application of nitrogenous fertilizer. It helps in growth only and not the fruits. So, apply balanced fertilizer.

In such conditions the fruits are initially attacked by fruit borer and then are damaged. Apply poison baiting in the field to check the infestation

Some of the common methods for preservation are preparation of: Pickle, Jelly, Jam, Sauce, Soup, Murba, Squash, Chutney, Barafi, Chocolate, Ketchup and Kofta.

Among fruits: Mango, Guava, Papaya, Pine apple, Jack fruit, Bel, Amla and Lemon.

Among vegetables: Cauli flower, Cabbage, Brinjal, Tomato, Drum stick, Peas, Potato, Elephant foot yam, Green chili, Ginger and Carrots.

The house wife can use mud cooler and zero energy cool chamber to keep the vegetables fresh for a week without any electricity in rural areas. The cooling effect may be created by dripping method. These are low cost storage devices which have the following advantages:

1. prevents spoilage of vegetables and thereby cost
2. avoids frequent purchase of vegetables
3. keeps vegetables fresh

It requires a big earthen pot/single layered brick structure filled with wet sand. On the sand, an earthen ware pot containing fresh fruits and vegetables are placed. The pot is covered by a bamboo basket to facilitate air circulation. A clean wet gunny bag dipped in water is placed over the cover. The edge of which touches the sand, so water drips from the bag through capillary action and keeps the sand wet. Under such condition fruits and vegetables can be kept fresh for a week.

In rural areas this technology can be adopted to keep fruits, vegetables and other perishables fresh at least for three to four days in summer season and 10-12 days in winter season.

Locally available raw materials like bricks, bamboo, sand, straw and gunny bags are required for its construction. The construction is made with a single layer of bricks on the floor with the side walls having 70 cm height. 7.5 cm space is given between two walls. The size of the chamber should be according to the size of the family. The space between these two layers is filled with clean sand. The sand is always kept moist with water. A frame of bamboo and gunny bag is covered over it. Another thatched roof-shed is built over the chamber to protect it from direct sun. Fruits, vegetables and perishables are kept in perforated plastic bags and stored inside the chamber.