The State secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, has called upon his party cadre to cultivate organic vegetables at all available land and terraces of buildings in the State.
“The party had taken the lead in this regard in Ernakulam district, following which 400 organic vegetable stalls could be operated in that district for Vishu this year. The party is targeting 1,000 such stalls for Onam,” he said.
Social intervention
Mr. Balakrishnan was addressing a gathering here on Friday evening after launching ‘Mazhakoithu,’ a rainwater harvesting project of the Kollam unit of the party. He said that the CPI(M) had started making strong social intervention in the farm sector in Kerala with overwhelming public support. Organic farming had to be taken forward in the larger interests of people’s health.
“The State is completely dependent on neighbouring States for its food requirements. But the bulk of the food imported, especially vegetables, poses a health hazard because of the rampant use of pesticides and chemicals,” he said.