Date of Birth: 
About M. H. Marigowda
- M h.
- Marigowda is also known as Father of Horticulture in India. August 8 is celebrated as M.H.Marigowda Foundation Day.
- Dr Manmohan Attavar is the President of M.H.
- Marigowda Horticultural Education and Research Foundation. Dr Marigowda, a horticultural expert, had dedicated his life for the development of the field of Horticulture, as it would help in uplifting farmers and provide healthy food for the society as a whole.
- He had envisaged setting up of farms and farmer outlets in every district and taluk in the State, apart from measures to offer courses in horticulture at Lalbagh. When Dr.
- M.H Marigowda took the charge of the post of the Superintendent of Horticulture in Mysore, in 1951, the developmental works in the state started with an unprecedented pace.
- In 1963, consequent to the formation of the separate Department of Horticulture, he was elevated to the post of the Director of Horticulture.
- Several schemes which were earlier handled by the Agriculture Department, were transferred to this newly created Department.
- In 1965, the reorganization of the Department took place and several posts were created in order to carry over the task of Horticulture development in the state.
- Also, a large number of new scheme were sanctioned.
- In 1956, as a result of reorganization of the state, the Horticultural activities were extended to all the 19 districts.
- Thus, he was responsible for elevating the minor Department of Horticulture to a major Department.
- During his term, he took the Horticulture to the rural areas and to the common man.
- He set into implementation of a unique pattern of Horticulture development i.e., “4-Limbed Model of Horticulture”.
- To suit to this, he established the Horticulture Produce Co-operative Marketing Society and the Nurserymen’s Co-operative Society at Bangalore.
- He started as many as 357 farms and nurseries all over the state.
- His visualization of the farms and nurseries was in developing them as progeny orchards, nursery centers and places of demonstration of new crops and technology to the farmers.
- Seed testing, soil testing and plant protection laboratories were started at Lalbagh by him.
- Several park and gardens were laid out in different cities and towns of the state.
- The area of Lalbagh Botanical Garden was expanded to 240 acres (0.97 km2) and planted with additional native and exotic species of plants during his period.
- Dr.
- Marigowda was a staunch advocate of Dry Land Horticulture and the principals and practices of these technologies were demonstrated in most of the farms started by him.
- This inspired the farmers of the state to practice Dry Land Horticulture on vast dry and drought prone tracts of the state.
- Mixed cropping and intercroppings got special fillip during his times.
- Thus, through multifarious achievements and feats, the state of Karnataka became the “Horticultural State of India”, and Dr.
- Marigowda’s name became immortal in the annals of Horticulture development in Karnataka.
- A succinct biographical sketch of M.
- H.
- Marigowda was well portrayed by noted Indian journalist, writer, critic and editor S.
- R.
- Ramaswamy in his book "Deeptimantaru".
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