PAU pushes ‘Punjab Amrit’ variety to boost muskmelon cultivation

In an attempt to rescue the dwindling muskmelon production in the popular red-soiled Dona belt of Doaba — spanning Shahkot, Lohian, Kapurthala and Sultanpur Lodhi — the erstwhile muskmelon hub of the state, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has come up with its hybrid, low-cost muskmelon variety “Punjab Amrit”. Being developed by PAU scientists for years now – Sunday saw the first field visit by a PAU vice-chancellor to Kapurthala to promote the new cost-effective seed.

Compared to 2014-15, muskmelon production in Kapurthala has been reduced to less than half. Produced across 2,500 hectares (6,000 acres) in Kapurthala at its peak, the area under muskmelon was reduced to less than half —- merely 900 hectares (2,500 acres) this year.

Skyrocketing seed costs, climate change and blight caused farmers to take to maize cultivation – the “Dhwana” (Melon) mandis in Kapurthala, Shahkot and Rupewal began to wear a deserted look — this year being no exception. In an effort to restore the red-soiled areas’ former enthusiasm for the muskmelon — the PAU is going all out.

On Sunday, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kapurthala, in collaboration with the Department of Vegetable Science, PAU, Ludhiana, organised a field day on muskmelon variety which featured Kapurthala’s first visit from the PAU VC Dr Satbir Singh Gosal at Isha Singh Dhot Farm, Barindpur, Kapurthala, to promote the “Punjab Amrit” variety. More than 70 melon growers of nearby villages participated.

Stalls of “Punjab Amrit” and “Bobby” (the costlier seed version) hybrid varieties were kept side by side to encourage comparisons —- better taste, shelf life, size and yield in the former.

Dr Harinder Singh, Associate Director (Training), KVK, Kapurthala, said, “During 2014-15, muskmelon cultivation was at its peak in the region. Sunehri, Madhu and Hara Madhu varieties were preferred. The development of the Bobby variety by the PAU in about 2019 —- which is sweeter – caused farmers to take to its cultivation across 70 per cent of the muskmelon area. However, it’s skyrocketing costs caused farmers to adopt maize in large numbers which has been a worry for us. To counter this, PAU began developing the “Punjab Amrit” variety for a decade or so under Dr Sat Pal Sharma, Head, Department of Vegetable Science. Today’s field visit is among the recent exercises aimed at promoting this version.”

The hefty priced “Bobby” muskmelon seed cost farmers between Rs 1 lakh 8,000 to 1 lakh 40,000 this year, while in comparison, “Punjab Amrit” will cost merely Rs 6,000 per kg (A kg of seed furnishes crops for an acre).

Dr Harinder Singh, added, “The tastes are almost identical while “Punjab Amrit” has increased shelf life, more netting (which adds to longevity) and is much more cost-effective. Also, maize is almost as water-intensive as rice. Our aim is to shift farmers back to a rice/potato muskmelon cycle. Muskmelon takes just 70 days compared to maize and with Punjab Amrit, their dividends will also be doubled.”