Kochi: Restriction on grow-bags may hit organic farming

KOCHI: The unrestrained use of plastic grow-bags for vegetable cultivation has resulted in serious ecological impact following which the agriculture department is planning to restrict their use. The move, which will have positive results  in rural areas, might affect the terrace farming and vegetable cultivation in small holdings in the city. The agriculture department, local bodies, Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, residents’ associations and various other organisations have been selling grow- bags without any restrictions.

“The plastic grow-bags are being extensively used even in rural areas where there is enough land for cultivation. Abandoned grow-bags have become a serious ecological issue. Plastic grow-bags should be permitted only in the city where the residents have no holdings for cultivation,” said  Shinoj Subrahmanian, senior scientist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ernakulam. The KVK is not selling grow-bags though it supplies all other farming inputs. Meanwhile, the agriculture department authorities are clueless on how to replace the plastic grow-bags with cost-effective and long lasting pots.

Earthen pots have no takers due to its high price and non-durability. Though KVK has tried to introduce jute bags, it received poor response due to high price. The residents’ associations are apprehensive over the plans to impose restrictions on grow-bags as majority of their members are successfully doing vegetable cultivation in them.   “Instead of grow-bags, plastic cement bags from big construction sites can be collected, cleaned and reused for farming in city areas. This will help  minimise the environmental impact while ensuring that the farming initiatives of city residents are not affected,” added Shinoj Subrahmanian.