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Details Of Innovation
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Since the hybrid groundnut crop requires more chemical fertilizers and is more susceptible to disease-causing pests, Rajabhai Seta of Bhavnagar thought about developing an entirely new variety from the existing hybrid (GG2). Another factor that has influenced the innovation of Rajabhai is the rising cost of seed. The genesis of the innovation of Rajabhai is as follows: In 1990, he tried to cultivate a new variety from the existing GG2 monsoon-type. In that year, he sowed GG2 groundnut in his field. After carefully surveying the field, he selected particular plants with more flowers on them. These plants stood out in the hybrid field. The pods of these plants were later separated. Of course, these outstanding plants together yielded nuts of a mere 150 gm. These 150 gm nuts were sown in January 1991. This time the harvest was five to 6 kg of groundnut. This six kilogram of the outstanding nut was sown in the monsoon of 1991. The crop was ready by Diwali. This time the yield was 6 tonnes. In the monsoon of 1992, these 6 tonnes were sown again, and crop yield was a substantial 72 tonnes this time. The select plants are now giving the yield in geometric proportion. Thus Rajabhai Seta has been able to evolve an entirely new variety from even the hybrid variety. What is more, the select plants do not need chemical fertilizer at all. Thus Rajabhai has virtually turned the Origin of Species upside down, not using the survival of the fittest but by selection of the fittest, though in a very humble way.
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