Source : The Hindu Date : 29.06.2009
Corporation to promote homestead farming
Staff Reporter
| To distribute curry leaves, drumstick saplings |
Rs.1 lakh earmarked for sapling distribution
Rs.87 lakh for paddy, plantain cultivation
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city Corporation is planning to distribute free saplings of curry leaves and drumstick to the residents as part of its efforts to promote homestead farming.
The residents who are not into full-fledged homestead farming but who have the scope for planting odd saplings in their plot can avail of the free saplings from the Corporation.
The scheme for distribution of free saplings has featured in the first phase of the People’s Plan Campaign, which has been approved by the District Planning Committee. Around Rs.1 lakh has been earmarked for the curry leaves and drumstick sapling distribution scheme.
“The Corporation is evolving projects to promote homestead and terrace farming among city residents and this scheme is part of this effort. As of now, we depend entirely on vegetables brought from Tamil Nadu.
Often the transportation and storing of these vegetables badly affect their quality, especially leafy vegetables like curry leaves. Through this scheme, we are aiming at attaining self-sufficiency at least in these two plants which are an essential ingredient of our cuisine and also have herbal properties,” said Corporation development standing committee chairman K.O. Asokan.
Under the scheme, every household will be given two saplings of curry leaves and drumstick each. Mr. Asokan said the Corporation had already asked the agriculture Deputy Director to make available the saplings from nurseries.
“Initially, we have ordered 40,000 saplings for 10,000 households. After we receive applications from the beneficiaries, this figure will be raised, if needed. Applications will be collected from each ward by the councillors who will discuss the scheme at the ward meetings. We are hoping to distribute the saplings within a month,” he said.
Before the distribution of saplings, the beneficiary list will have to be approved by the Corporation council. Although the beneficiaries will have to buy the manure and pesticide for themselves, the Corporation will provide the service of agriculture officers if needed, Mr. Asokan said.
The Corporation has set apart funds for the agriculture sector under the first phase of the Plan Campaign this year. Other than the sapling distribution scheme, the local body has earmarked around Rs.87 lakh for projects under the sector, including integrated paddy cultivation project and integrated plantain cultivation project.
Around Rs.1.36 lakh has been set apart for integrated mushroom cultivation programme, to be implemented through self-help groups, while around Rs.60 lakh has been earmarked for integrated terrace farming project
