In a city where summer temperatures cross 40°C, kale is a luxury. Often associated with cooler climates, the leafy green can travel long distances to reach Indian consumers and is sold at premium prices in gourmet stores. But could it be grown locally instead?
Shritha Shetty Puvvadi, a 17-year-old student from Hyderabad, is exploring this question through her project that tests whether cold-climate crops can grow in warmer regions under controlled conditions.
Her research began with an interest in the challenges faced by Indian farmers, including fluctuating crop prices, rising input costs and low returns. After studying the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which supports small businesses and rural entrepreneurs, she explored whether growing higher-value crops could create alternative income opportunities.
For the experiment, Shritha used a temperature-controlled chamber at her family’s Snow Kingdom facility in Hyderabad. She tested three varieties of kale, Winterbor, Red Russian and Vates, gradually lowering the temperature to identify conditions in which the plants remained healthy and productive. All three varieties grew successfully under controlled conditions.
The results offer an initial indication that cold-climate crops can be cultivated in Hyderabad. Through her project, Shritha is exploring how controlled-environment farming could connect agricultural production with business opportunities.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
