Organic farmers in the district are now focussing on key cold season vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower after the Onam season, which saw substantial quantities of organic produces hitting the market through temporary and permanent outlets that came up under the aegis of different organisations.
It is expected that at least five self-help groups will be set up in each of the local bodies for organic farming, said M. M. Abbas, who is coordinating the efforts for the district unit of the CPI(M), which had brought around 400 acres under organic cultivation ahead of Onam under a programme named Jaivajeevitham .
Mr. Abbas said that the Participatory Guarantee System in Organic Agriculture would be used to ensure that the produces were really organically grown.
The district administration and Greater Cochin Development Authority have joined hands to launch Operation Adukkala to bring organic farmers within the urban areas together and more than 5,000 farmers will begin their activities ahead of winter.
Veteran organic farmer Henry Suro said that the Onam season brought the need for organic farming into sharp focus.
M.P. Vijayan, secretary of Palliakkal Service Cooperative Society, which has brought 40 acres under organic cultivation in the Paravoor area said that there was no easing on organic cultivation of vegetables. He said that the cultivation would continue on a permanent basis as farmers were getting good returns for their efforts.
P. Rajeev, district secretary of the CPI(M), said that the organic vegetable shop at Edappally, opened ahead of Onam, would be expanded to sell other organic produces, including pokkali rice.
Source : The Hindu
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