{
  "id": 15412715,
  "title": "Vettikavala grama panchayat launches scheme to empower farmers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/vettikavala-grama-panchayat-launches-scheme-to-empower-farmers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T13:11:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/vettikavala-grama-panchayat-launches-scheme-to-empower-farmers/article71599852.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Vettikavala grama panchayat has introduced a new scheme to boost betel vine farming and empower farmers in the region. The initiative targets betel leaf farmers and aims to ensure the availability of essential organic fertilizers for sustainable crop productivity. Panchayat officials explained that a single betel vine can produce multiple harvests when properly cared for and nourished. Farmers cultivating betel vines on at least five cents of land will receive a subsidy of 75% on organic fertilizer worth ₹2,000 under this program. The panchayat has set aside ₹60,000 from its development budget for the current fiscal year to fund the project. A total of 40 farmers, selected by local grama sabhas, will be the primary beneficiaries. The fertilizers will be distributed through official permits by authorized agencies, including KAICO and RAIDCO, as well as the local Service Co-operative Society. Vettikavala grama panchayat president Aji Animon stressed the panchayat's dedication to agricultural growth, promising to continue developing innovative schemes to expand betel vine farming and provide comprehensive support to farmers in the future.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Vettikavala grama panchayat launches scheme to empower betel vine farmers",
    "Farmers cultivating betel vines on 5 cents land receive 75% subsidy on organic fertilizer",
    "₹60,000 allocated from panchayat budget for current fiscal year to fund project"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}