Mangaluru will soon get the Centre for Applied Research on Problematic Soils (CARPS) under the aegis of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU).

Shivakumara Magada, professor at College of Fisheries (a constituent of KVAFSU) and Head of Krishi Vijnan Kendra (KVK), Mangaluru, told BusinessLine that CARPS will be a nodal centre that will do collaborative multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional and multi-location applied research works on problematic soils.

Inauguration on July 10

CARPS, which will be inaugurated on July 10 to mark the ‘National Fish Farmers Day’, will be supported by the Hyderabad-based National Fisheries Development Board.

Giving details about the soil condition in the country, Magada, who is working on the project to set up CARPS in Mangaluru, said that out of 142.8 million hectares of cultivable area in the country, 42.1 million hectares are irrigated. Of this, more than 9 million hectares are found to be alkaline or saline in nature.

CARPS will work on applied research to use the problematic soils for food production. The centre is aimed at bringing all the stakeholders together to do research on various crops such as paddy, vegetables, fodder, fisheries, aquaponics and such other crops with special reference to agronomy and economics, leading to increased production, productivity while conserving the soil and environment, he said.

Stating that CARPS will serve as an ‘aqua and soil lab’ for farmers, Magada said it would help promote community and ecosystem-based approaches for conservation of problematic soils through scientific aquaculture and agriculture. It will have an overview of problems and perspectives and the way forward for using problematic soils for food production.

 

This institute will promote institutional linkage by involving the industry professionals, students, policymakers, developmental officers, bankers, non-governmental organisations, farmers, entrepreneurs, corporate and consultants.

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