Carrots are among the vegetables widely consumed by Indians, especially during winter. They are extensively used for making dishes like carrot pulao, halwa, or mixed vegetables. Red carrots are particularly in high demand during winter in the Northern parts of India due to their taste and sweetness. Conversely, during summer, yellow carrots are available in markets, mainly sourced from southern Indian states.
It is believed that carrots originated from Iran and were first cultivated in Asia in the 10th century for consumption purposes. Gradually, this root vegetable, available naturally in yellow or purple hues, became a common food item across Asian regions. Belonging to the Apiaceae family, this root vegetable is available in over 500 varieties. Besides, carrots were first consumed in Europe in the 12th century. And, the familiar orange carrot we know today was developed in the 17th century by the Dutch.
Popular Carrot Varieties in India
In India, several popular carrot varieties have been developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Pusa, including Pusa Kesar, which has red roots and can tolerate higher temperatures. Those like Pusa Meghali, Empirator Zenon Nilgiri (popular in hilly areas for high yield and quality), Pusa Yamdagni, ARS, Katrain, among others, have been established. Other varieties like Selection 223 and Number 29 have been created by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.
Availability of Red Carrots Off-Season
The availability of red carrots in markets during the summer season is scarce. Keeping this in mind, the leading seed manufacturer in the country, Somani Seedz, has introduced a new variety under the Nantes segment, which could dominate the market during the off-season when red carrots are not available in markets.
New Variety of Red Carrot
According to Somani Seedz, the research for this new variety of red carrots began in 2013, when the company's Managing Director, K.V. Somani, initiated the collection of germplasm from wherever carrots were cultivated worldwide, along with research and development scientists like Dr. Arjun Singh. During this process, several new hybrid varieties were developed, and after about eight years, a successful hybrid red carrot was discovered, which not only has a red color but is also packed with numerous qualities.
Features of the Improved Variety of Red Carrot, Ajuba-117
The advanced variety of red carrots named Ajuba-117, under the company's Nantes section, is truly a wonder, hence the name "Ajuba," which means marvel. It can be easily cultivated in Southern India, especially in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and wherever hybrid or OP red carrots Nantes and Kuroda are cultivated.
According to the company, extensive field trials have been conducted on this new variety of red carrots since 2022. This year, seeds have been distributed to progressive farmers in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. The results so far have been promising, and it is hoped that it will be commercially launched by the next cropping season.
This new variety of red carrots, Ajuba-117, allows farmers to store it even during summers and can fetch them additional profits when red carrot crops are not available in the market. Compared to Nantes or yellow carrots, farmers can benefit from a minimum of ₹10 per kilogram. According to the company, based on the results obtained so far, it can be said that its storage capacity can be more than four months. Consumers and traders can acquire it even during off-seasons like May, June, July, August, and September. Its length is like Nantes. However, it is not like Desi Red or Pusa Kesar.
It is expected to become beneficial for FPOs and farmers who want to store and sell. Additionally, the company plans to organize live demonstrations of red carrots to familiarize farmers and dealers with their productivity and qualities.
