It’s a new scheme; would it go waste?

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The hot month of April brings cool news for residents in the district. With the aim of producing safe-to-eat vegetables, the district administration, with the support of the Erna-kulam District Agri Horticulture Society (EDAHS) and Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council (VFPCK), is launching an innovative cluster scheme, ‘zero waste and safe-to-eat vegetables’.

The scheme will be implemented in association with the Better Kochi Response Group (BKRG), Ernakulam District Residents’ Associations Apex Council (EDRAAC) and the Residents’ Apex Council of Ernakulam (RACE).

“Our aim is to grow safe vegetables using kitchen waste as manure. City residents are becoming more aware about the consequences of pesticide filled vegetables and fruits.

In order to promote terrace farming, we are associating with the district administration,” said Sherly Chacko, secretary of BKRG. “Terrace farming can be successfully implemented in flats and even in small buildings,’’ she added.

During the first phase of the scheme, 25,000 families will be given seedlings of 20 vegetables planted in UV stabilised bags filled with potting soil. The actual cost of potted plants is `1,600, which will be provided to the families on a 50 per cent subsidy.

The VFPCK and EDAHS will provide the necessary guidelines and training to families about terrace farming. The chief minister will officially launch the scheme later in April.

The district collector is keen on implementing the scheme. According to him, this is the need of the hour and should be given top priority. The state needs to have self sufficiency in vegetable production, he remarked.

“EDRAAC is happy to support the district administration in implementing the innovative project which will help to reduce dependence on toxic vegetables from other stat-es. It could also address the issue of solid waste management,” said Rangadasa Prabhu, president, EDRAAC.