UAS Bengaluru to release 3 crop varieties at GKVK Krishi Mela

Three new crop varieties — maize MAH-20-45, ragi GPU-101 and grain amaranth KBGA-18 — will be released at the University of Agricultural Sciences Bengaluru’s Krishi Mela at the GKVK campus in Yelahanka on November 13.

UAS-B said MAH-20-45 is a high-yielding maize hybrid that is tolerant of several diseases and suited to drought conditions. The university said GPU-101 ragi is expected to yield 18% more than varieties currently available in the market and has greater tolerance to blast disease. It said KBGA-18, a protein-rich grain amaranth, can be mixed with ragi before milling.

The mela will run for one day this year rather than the three-day format used previously because of drought conditions across Karnataka. A workshop on drought-management techniques is scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by a field visit at 2 p.m. Farmers are among the intended participants.

The programme will cover El Niño’s impact, drought preparedness, suitable crop varieties, complementary farming technologies, and soil and water conservation measures. UAS-B developed all three varieties.