Updated: August 23, 2012 02:42 IST
Kudumbasree’s organic farming initiative aimed for Onam market next year
The district unit of the Kudumbasree mission will launch ‘Harithasree project’ on August 26 to promote organic farming among its subgroups.
The subgroups that are already into collective farming will now do the same organically, which means they will not use artificial fertilisers or pesticides. The project is aimed at bringing these products to the market in time for next Onam.
Minister for Agriculture K.P. Mohanan will inaugurate the project at the Malabar Christian College auditorium. Vishwaraj, who won the award for the best agricultural officer in the State, will be honoured at the function.
In a move to ensure food security, the ‘Harithasree’ groups will make use of fallow lands for farming. A survey has been completed and a databank prepared to ascertain the fallow land suitable for cultivation. The products will be marketed through a homeshop system that has its presence in 28 grama panchayats and two Corporations.
“As part of Onam this year, the mission is conducting trade fairs at 80 different locations at the district and the panchayat levels. We are expecting sales of around Rs.2 crore. Though our products are of top quality, our packaging has not been that attractive. So, this time around, we have concentrated on professional packaging of the products,” said K.K. Muhammed Faisal, district mission coordinator of Kudumbasree.
More than 4,500 of the mission entrepreneurs would display their wares at the Onam fairs. Considering the increasing acceptability of its products, Kudumbasree and local self-governing bodies were planning to set up permanent selling points. The trade fairs were a step in this direction, he added.
SOURCE: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/article3808690.ece
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