Kerala should be self-reliant: Oommen Chandy

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The state should achieve self reliance in vegetable production and should avoid over-dependence on other states for vegetables, fruits, milk and eggs, according to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Launching the Zero and Safe-to-Eat Vegetables scheme here on Monday, the chief minister said that Kerala lagged behind in the agriculture sector.

“The state should make maximum use of the various Central funds to promote the agriculture sector. We should seriously consider ways to develop vegetable production. New projects to enhance production of safe organic vegetables needs to be initiated,” he said.

The centre has allocated Rs 163 crore for vegetable pr-oduction under the AHADS project in Attappadi in Palakkad district and the State has initiated a vegetable cultivation programme in selected panchayats in Munnar which has received the centre’s approval.

CM praised the State Hor-ticulture Mission and the District Agricultural Society for their efforts. “New schemes proposed by the government should not remain on paper but should be put into practice,” he said.

The Zero and Safe-to-Eat Vegetables scheme aims at promoting terrace farming in every household and thus making the district self-reliant in vegetable production.

The programme is being implemented with the support of the Ernakulam District AgriHorticulture Society and Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council in association with other agencies.

The government has earmarked Rs 2 crore for the first phase of the scheme.