Organic farming to be promoted in city

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city is poised to become an example for the other districts in organic farming.  The Kerala State Horticulture Mission has plans to promote organic farming in Thiruvananthapuram district by formingfarmer groups, Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan has said. The idea is to promote farming of 'poison-free, safe vegetables' on rooftops in the city where, otherwise, space is unavailable for farming. 'Pachchakkari Samriddhi Naadinum Nagarathinum,' as the project is christened, is estimated to cost Rs 15.91 crore.Of this, the State Government expects a Central assistance of Rs 10.48 crore. The scheme incorporates a large number of sub-schemes under it, production of high-quality vegetable seeds and saplings in the public and private sectors, production of compost, establishment of organic vegetable farms in schools, promotion of vegetable farming on rooftops and available spaces, establishment of retail sales outlets, conduct of exhibitions and rolling out mobile agro-clinic and sales outlets. ''This scheme is aimed at encouraging city residents to cultivate vegetables on their rooftops so that pesticide-free vegetables are available for consumption,'' K P Mohanan said in a written reply to the Assembly the other day. The State Government has taken steps to ensure that farmers are supplied with saplings conducive to the state's climatic conditions, he added.An integrated pest and disease control project also has been incorporated into this scheme. The State Government also plans to extend the scheme to other districts in the years ahead, the Minister said.