District Collector C.A. Latha was welcomed with a unique bouquet as she arrived to inaugurate a programme at the Press Club here on Monday. The bouquet made of curry leaves was in tune with the theme of the programme, Haritholsavam, aimed at promoting homestead vegetable cultivation among city dwellers. The district administration is implementing the programme in association with the city Corporation and Green View, a city-based collective of organic farmers.
Ms. Latha also flagged off a vehicle, Pacha Vandy (green cart), carrying a wide range of vegetable saplings to be sold at a nominal price in the Corporation limits, by ceremoniously waving a big plantain leaf.
Rs.5 a saplingThe green cart is packed with a wide variety of vegetable seedlings, including green chilli, tomato, brinjal, curry leaf and okra, besides a variety of fruit saplings. “It will tour all the 75 wards of the city Corporation and stop at two points at each ward to sell the saplings,” said M.P. Rajul Kumar, president of Green View. They are sold at Rs.5 a sapling. The green cartstarted its tour by selling saplings to media persons on the Press Club premises. Mr. Kumar also gave some tips to the buyers on how to plant them and care for them.
Need of the hourMs. Latha, during her inaugural speech, said that promoting organic vegetable cultivation was the need of the hour. “It is in fact in the interest of the coming generations too,” she said.
Press club president Kamal Varadoor and secretary I.V. Sharine were present.
For details, call Mr. Kumar at 90374 00391 .
