M. H. Marigowda is considered the father of horticulture in India. He was a renowned agricultural scientist and horticulturist who made significant contributions to the development of horticulture in India. Marigowda was born in 1891 in the state of Karnataka and obtained his education in agriculture and horticulture from the University of California, Berkeley.
After returning to India, Marigowda worked as a professor and researcher in horticulture at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore. He introduced several new crop varieties and improved horticultural practices that helped to increase crop yields and improve the livelihoods of farmers. He was also instrumental in establishing the Horticultural Producers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society in Bangalore in 1965, which helped to provide marketing support to horticultural farmers.
Marigowda’s contributions to horticulture in India were significant, and he is widely regarded as a pioneer and father of the field in the country.
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M. H. Marigowda
Dr. Marigowda has dedicated his life to the study and practice of horticulture up until his retirement in 1977. In 1993, the Karnataka government awarded him the title “Totagarika Ratna” in appreciation of his contributions. His birthday is also observed as ‘Horticulture Day’. Additionally present were Corporators Chikkavenkatu, Prameela Bharath, Trust President Satishgowda, Secretary A. Ravi, and KEA Chairman M. Srinivasagowda.
Horticulture was a specialty of Dr. Marigowda’s. He committed his entire life to advancing horticulture because it would assist farmers and the world’s expanding population have more secure access to food. In 1951, he accepted the position of Mysore’s Superintendent of Horticulture. After his entry, Karnataka’s horticultural industry experienced rapid expansion.
He was promoted to the position of Director of Horticulture in 1963, following the establishment of the distinct Department of Horticulture. He was the driving force behind elevating the state’s minor horticulture department to a major one and making it possible to expand horticultural operations to all 19 of the state’s districts.
M. H. Marigowda – Notable work and contributions
M. H. Marigowda made significant contributions to the field of horticulture in India, particularly in the area of fruit and vegetable cultivation. Some of his notable works and contributions include:
- Introduction of new crop varieties: Marigowda introduced several new crop varieties in India, such as grapefruit, avocado, and passion fruit. These crops were not commonly grown in India at the time, and their introduction helped to diversify the country’s horticultural production.
- Development of improved horticultural practices: Marigowda developed several new and improved horticultural practices, such as the use of polythene bags for seedlings and the introduction of high-density planting techniques. These practices helped to increase crop yields and improve the quality of produce.
- Establishment of the Horticultural Producers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society: Marigowda played a key role in establishing this society in Bangalore, which helped to provide marketing support to horticultural farmers. The society helped farmers to sell their produce at fair prices and provided them with access to storage and processing facilities.
- Research and education: Marigowda conducted extensive research on horticulture in India and was a well-respected professor and researcher in the field. He taught at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore, where he mentored numerous students who went on to become leading horticulturists in their own right.
M. H. Marigowda made numerous and significant contributions to horticulture in India. His legacy has benefited numerous farmers’ quality of life and contributed to influence the field’s development in the nation.
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M. H. Marigowda as the Father of Horticulture
M. H. Marigowda is regarded as the father of horticulture in India due to his significant contributions to the field. Marigowda was an agricultural scientist and horticulturist who introduced several new crop varieties, improved horticultural practices, and helped establish a cooperative society to support horticultural farmers. His efforts in the field of horticulture were pioneering and had a significant impact on the development of the field in India. He helped to diversify horticultural production in the country and improve the quality and quantity of produce. Marigowda also taught and mentored numerous students, many of whom went on to become leading horticulturists in India. His legacy has helped shape the development of horticulture in India, and he is widely recognized as a pioneer and father of the field.
FAQs on the Father of Horticulture
The term “Father of Horticulture” has been attributed to several individuals, including Theophrastus, John Lindley, and Liberty Hyde Bailey. However, the title is most commonly associated with horticultural pioneer M. H. Marigowda.
Due to his substantial contributions to the industry, M. H. Marigowda is revered as India’s “Father of Horticulture.” He created better horticulture techniques, introduced new crop kinds, and assisted in establishing a cooperative group to aid horticultural producers. His legacy continues to have an effect on India’s horticultural advancement.
Horticulture is the science and art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. It is an important field of study as it contributes to the production of food, medicine, and other important products. Horticulture also plays an important role in preserving the environment, enhancing urban spaces, and promoting human health and wellbeing.
Some of the major fields of horticulture include pomology (the study of fruit cultivation), olericulture (the study of vegetable cultivation), floriculture (the study of flower cultivation), and landscape horticulture (the study of designing and maintaining landscapes).
The environment may be impacted by horticulture in a variety of ways. It can contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, the reduction of climate change, and the provision of ecosystem services including soil preservation and carbon sequestration. Horticultural methods, however, can potentially harm the environment by causing the loss of natural ecosystems or the spread of exotic species, for example.
