Every individual should see that the State becomes self-sufficient in the production of toxin-free vegetables through organic farming on their house premises, actor Mamukoya said here on Thursday.
He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the district-level Haritholsavam project, being undertaken by the district administration with an objective of spreading homestead vegetable cultivation, at the Urban Wholesale Agricultural market at Vengeri here.
The actor, who shared his experience as an organic farmer, said, “everyone should cultivate at least a few varieties of vegetables and fruits at their backyard, not expecting any profit out of it but to eat toxin-free vegetables besides to enjoy the sheer joy of cultivating it,” said Mr. Mamukkoya.
Mayor A.K. Premajam, who along with Mr. Mamukoya inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp, said that everyone should turn to farming in whichever way possible to them. “We will be able to relive the old days, when every ingredient of the Onasadya was collected from one’s own premises instead of buying them from the market at exorbitant prices,” she said.
The Haritholsavam project among other things aims at promoting cultivation in fallow land, encouraging organic farming and promoting vegetable cultivation on the terrace of every residence. Over 180 people including farmers, NGO workers and representatives of different farmers’ organisations have already registered for the project. Presiding over the function, District Collector C.A. Latha said that as many as 280 acres of land would be farmed in different part of the district in the first phase of the project. This will be done in cooperation with various farmers’ cooperatives, NGOs and private individuals.
