Minister for Agriculture V.S. Sunil Kumar on Saturday said the special agriculture zones set up by the government will help in comprehensive development of the farm sector.
After formally announcing Wayanad as a ‘special agriculture zone’ for floriculture and speciality rice programme at Ambalavayal on Saturday, Mr. Kumar said the special zones for floriculture and aromatic rice cultivation would provide support to farmers and help them enhance crop productivity.
It would also help them explore the potential of the floriculture sector, he added.
As much as 70 acres would be utilised in the first phase and it would be gradually extended to 450 acres by the end of the 2020-21 fiscal. Special focus would be given to the conservation of traditional rice varieties, propagation of millets, and expansion of aromatic rice cultivation, Mr. Kumar said.
Ten villages in various grama panchayats had been selected for piloting the fruit village project, he added. Litchi, rambutan, avocado, passion fruit, mangosteen, and papaya would be cultivated. The project would be expanded to other parts of the district later, he said.
The Minister also formally inaugurated Orchid fete-2018, a three-day programme .
