The State government is preparing for a major revamp of the Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporation (Horticorp) to streamline its operations and strengthen the procurement and marketing systems.
Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar said here on Wednesday that the revamp would focus on four regional centres. Admitting that Horticorp was riddled with problems, he said efforts were on to coordinate the procurement and marketing systems with the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Keralam, (VFPCK) and the Agriculture Department.
Addressing a press conference to announce the horticulture awards, Mr. Sunil Kumar said more Horticorp outlets would be opened in Thrissur, Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod. The Corporation would participate in the auction at VFPCK’s bidding centres. Refrigerated vehicles would be pressed into service and a market monitoring system established to prevent glut due to surplus production.
The Minister said the 400 excess staff appointed by the previous UDF regime had proved to be a burden for Horticorp. “There are legal and other hurdles in terminating their services or redeploying them at large. The government is trying to work out a solution.”
Kerala, he said, was expected to become self-sufficient in the production of safe-to-eat vegetables in two-to-three years. The Agriculture Department was working on an ambitious programme to encourage people from all walks of life to take up horticulture. Efforts were on to step up the production of vegetables in Idukki and other parts of the State for the Onam festival season.
Mr. Kumar added that a State-wide campaign would be launched to bring all farmers into the revised crop insurance scheme introduced by the government. The new scheme, he said, would ensure enhanced compensation for farmers suffering loss due to natural calamities and attacks by wild animals.
