Seedbed Making Information Guide

If we live in an area with low winter temperatures, it could be very useful to make a seedbed. Let's see what is a seedbed and how to make it!

A seedbed  is a protected environment where plants and vegetables are sowed so that they can be, after some month, transplanted in our vegetable garden.
Sowing could be made also directly in the soil, but it is usually not recommended because low temperatures and unfavorable weather conditions  can prevent  seeds germination. Instead, using a seedbed we can  “control” climate and temperatures, thus increasing the amount of vegetables we could have at our disposal. There are many advantages of using a seedbed which can explained further. Read more : HERE. 

Patchouli Cultivation Guide

Patchouli is an aromatic crop mainly grown for its oil used in the manufacture of perfumes, cosmetics, tobacco, soaps, medicines, beverages. Basically, Patchouli is native to Philippines. When it comes to plant description, Patchouli is a perennial, small bushy herb of the mint family, with erect stems, reaching up to three feet tall and bearing small, pale pink-white flowers and yields fragrant leaves containing very sweet smelling oil. However, most Asian countries are cultivating commercially due to increasing demand for this essential oil. The essential oil extracted from this plant is expensive and available at Rs.1,200 to 1250 per kg in the market. In India, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic crops (CIMAPS) in Lucknow have developed a high yielding Patchouli variety called "Samarth".   Read more : Here.

Grouper Fish Farming Guide

Grouper is one of marine fishes belongs to the genus of “Epinephelus”. This fish culture is gaining commercial importance across the world. This fish is locally known as “Lapu Lapu” or “Inid” in Philippines. India is also showing lots of interest in Grouper fish culture. The taste of grouper fish is better than Murrel (sneak head) fish. These fish have highly valued because of their excellent body texture and flavour. The export market for grouper is rapidly increasing specially in in Hong Kong, and Singapore, Japan. When it comes to body characteristics of grouper fish, most of the fish is found with light yellowish to brown spots on their body fins and head. There are two type’s species such as E. coioides and E malabricus are popularly cultured in either net cages or ponds out of 40 species are distributed in tropical waters. The biggest challenge in commercial production of grouper fish is the shortage of fingerlings or seed from the wild or hatchery (nurseries). Because of seed shortage, high market value of this fish have encouraged many countries in Asia  including India to initiate research and development programmes on grouper breeding and seed production. In India, until now, naturally collected seed from wild waters are serving the purpose. Now the breeding of groupers has started in India as well. Grouper fishes are extensively cultured in coastal brackish water ponds and floating, fixed net cages in many south Asian countries. Read more : HERE.