Kerala will push organic farming in a big way: Agriculture Minister
As excessive pesticide residues were found in 58 out of the 1,262 food items which were tested in the government labs across the State
Kerala is set to significantly increase its focus on organic farming, according to Agriculture Minister T. Siddique. Excessive pesticide residues were detected in 58 out of 1,262 food items tested by government labs across the state, including those at Vellayani College of Agriculture and Mannuthy Agricultural University. Siddique stated that the prevalence of toxin-laden vegetables being brought into homes has reinforced the government's commitment to transitioning to organic farming methods, with every household aspiring to become a small farming unit.
To support this initiative, the government is launching a program named Kathir in 500 schools this year, aiming to encourage students to take up farming. The scheme, which has been meticulously planned, includes provisions for a nodal officer, a backup committee, training sessions for children on scientific farming techniques, and a marketing channel to ensure smooth execution.
Every participating school will receive ₹10,000 to promote organic farming. By next year, all government schools in Kerala will have Kathir clubs, with the government considering giving academic credit for activities related to the program. The Education department expressed strong support for this initiative. Furthermore, the Vegetable and Fruits Promotion Council of Kerala (VFPCK) and Horticorp are planning to establish 2,000 vegetable markets for Onam, with a dedicated budget of ₹10.5 crore allocated for this initiative.
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