Kochi: Farm fests draw enthusiastic crowds

KOCHI: More people are now taking to farming with increased awareness on the impact of the loss of greenery and its consequences like climate change and the shift in preference was reflected in the special Njattuvela Chantha organised by Krishi Bhavan office, local bodies and other agencies across Ernakulam district on Sunday. Saplings of trees, vegetables and medicinal plants were sold out in no time, forcing nursery owners associated with the expos to bring several additional loads of saplings for sale.  

"The Njattuvela Chantha organised at Choornikkara panchayat community hall for the sixth consecutive year has been a huge success with a sales proceedings of Rs.5.8 lakhs," said John Sherry, agriculture officer. "High quality planting materials, organic pest control products and fertilisers exclusively from government farms and university have been sold at reasonable rates."  

Over the past couple of decades, the state has moved away from its traditional culture of farming with sharp decline in vegetable and fruit production.  However, there has been an increased awareness on the significance of maintaining green cover, pesticide-free vegetable cultivation, rainwater harvesting and well-recharging. The reversal of the trend is obvious from the increase in the number of programmes to sell saplings being organised by agriculture department and other agencies during monsoon.

"It is a positive change that people are now aware of the importance of planting and protecting trees, essential for a healthy plant and have growing enthusiasm for farming and restoring greenery," said P. Murali, state president of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad. “How many of these people will take care of the sapplings they plant, especially when it is not remunerative? Still, we have to encourage them.”