Small farmers in India now have access to a revolutionary technology developed by Birsa Agriculture University in Ranchi that allows them to grow vegetables year-round. This innovative technology involves microclimatic management through temporary shade nets, which has received a trademark from the office of the comptroller general of patents, designs, and trademarks of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in India.
According to a university spokesperson, this technology offers small farmers the opportunity to enhance the quality and productivity of their vegetable cultivation practices. The principal investigator at the BAU Centre of All India Coordinated Research Project on Plastic Engineering in Agriculture Structure and Environment Management (PEASEM), Pramod Rai, is responsible for developing this technology. Rai explains that the productivity and quality of cultivated vegetables are influenced by genetic material, crop management, and microclimate management.
By managing important microclimate parameters such as temperature, light, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide using protected cultivation technologies like those developed by Rai’s team at PEASEM, farmers can optimize the growth of their crops. This technology offers small farmers an effective way to control these important parameters year-round, allowing them to achieve better results and improve the sustainability of their agricultural operations. Overall, this innovative technology is a game-changer for small farmers in India who want to increase their productivity and profitability while also being more sustainable in their farming practices.
