The City Corporation, in an effort to yield fruits from the now
defunct Vilappilsala waste treatment plant, is again mooting the dairy
farm project. Through setting up a most-modern farm, according to the
plans, it is also aiming to provide job opportunities to Kudumbashree
workers.

 The Corporation officials say that the plan had to be
dropped when announced the first time, as there were protests from the
local people against setting up the dairy. Even though the Corporation
approved a tender for the work worth Rs 40 lakh, the contractor later
backed out citing inconvenience to set up the project there. It is in
this situation that the civic body is going ahead with the project
again.  “Farming activities are already going on at Vilappilsala. An
activity group will be trained for the job after setting up the
infrastructure,” said Welfare Standing Committee chairman Palayam Rajan.

 A
Kudumbashree unit will be formed for this purpose at the place.
Infrastructure will be built with bank assistance, of which the
Corporation will bear fifty per cent. The project is estimated at Rs 20
lakh right now, even when the officials say that it may go up to some Rs
60 lakh.

 It is under the ‘Nature Fresh’ project of the
Corporation that the milk distribution is being planned to be carried
out. The farm where the cows are to be reared will be a state-of-the-art
one with automatic facilities to feed and wash. Taking care of the
cattle will be the task of Kudumbashree workers.

 “Right now, the
plan is to supply milk to anganwadis, nursery schools and Ananthapuri
Cafes under the Corporation. The Corporation has more than 600
anganwadis and 10 nurseries. The project is expected to provide jobs for
at least 10 Kudumbashree workers,” said Works Standing Committee
chairman V S Padmakumar.