The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) is to open a Horticulture College at its Regional Agriculture Research Station (RARS) at Ambalavayal in Wayanad. The proposed college would be set up by utilising the existing infrastructure facilities of the Regional Agriculture Research Station and its final approval had sanctioned by the university Senate.

From the next academic year the university is planning to launch a self-financing four-year B.Sc. Hon. Degree course in horticulture in the proposed college.

P. Rajendran, Associate Director of Research said that the mild sub-tropical climate in the district is quite suitable for horticulture and floriculture crops but the farming community is yet to tap the vast potential, thanks to the dearth of technologies. So, technological interventions have been planned by the university.

“The Research Station, established in 1946 and taken over by the KAU in 1972, is spread over 87.03 hectares of fertile land with facilities such as office buildings, farm office, store rooms, tissue culture lab, fruits and vegetables processing unit, nursery and gardens, and model gardens of all horticulture crops,” Dr. Rajendran added.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com