Congress steps up organic plan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though Kerala has made great strides in the health sector, pesticide-free vegetables have become a thing of the past, according to  KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran.   Inaugurating the third phase of the Gandhiharitha Samrudhi cell at Rajaji Nagar,  Chenkalchoola here, he said the inspection of consignments from across the border should be  tightened to make available pesticide-free vegetables.

He also urged that the LDF government, local bodies and NGOs should promote organic farming which would be supported by the Congress.  During his Janaraksha Yatra last year, he had procured vegetable seeds from Palakkad, Thrissur and Alapuzha. He urged the women  at Rajaji Nagar to take up organic farming in a big way for a bumper harvest during Onam.

“The aim of the Gandhiharitha Samrudhi is to harvest vegetables from your garden  for the Onam season.  During the festive season, the mothers in the colony should be able to cook vegetables from their yard itself,” he  said.

The initiative has been implemented with the support of Karshika Karma Sena. But the critics of  Mr Sudheeran allege that he was  emulating the left camp which has already launched a state-wide organic vegetable cultivation campaign titled  ‘organic living’ ahead of Onam season.

The CPM campaign comes in the wake of the success it had during the Onam festival last year and Vishu  this year. The district committees of the party have asked the lower committees to organise cultural jathas at different levels to create awareness about organic farming.