The State government is working on a scheme to revive sugar cane cultivation in the State, Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar has said.
Replying to a submission moved by K.K. Ramachandran Nair in the Assembly on Friday, he said traditional sugar cane farmers in Idukki, Palakad and Chengannur would be given assistance to improve their crop output.
Efforts were on to promote the sale of Marayur jaggery, a value-added product made from the sugar cane cultivated in Marayur, Idukki. The government had also initiated a move to secure Geographical Index (GI) tag for Marayur jaggery. Stern action would be taken to check contraband jaggery that was often sold under the Marayur brand.
Chengannur farmers
The Minister said the financial assistance under the RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) scheme given to sugar cane farmers in Idukki would soon be extended to their counterparts in Chengannur.
Water Resources Minister Mathew T. Thomas told the House that the government was planning a Statewide campaign to improve the efficiency of water use and check pollution of water sources.
