Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, on Saturday, laid the foundation stone for a hi-tech cattle-feed factory of Kerala Feeds Ltd. at Thiruvangoor in the district. The factory, expected to cost Rs.50 crore, will be constructed within 20 months.
Addressing the function, Mr. Chandy said the project would benefit farmers in the animal husbandry sector. He lauded Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan's initiative in bringing the factory to Thiruvangoor, giving a new life to the closed down coconut complex here.
He said Kerala was dependent on other States for its needs in the industrial and agricultural sectors. The situation should change by becoming self-sufficient through own ventures. The State, known for its coconut trees, was dependent on Tamil Nadu to meet the increased demand for coconut fibre. “Such a disgraceful situation should change,” he said. Mr. Chandy announced the plan of the government to re-employ the workers of the closed down coconut complex at the cattle-feed factory. “All the willing employees will be given jobs at the new factory,” he said.
Presenting a report on the project, M. Suresh Kumar, Managing Director of Kerala Feeds Ltd., said the new factory, coming up in 10.8 acres of land in Chemanchery panchayat, would be equipped to produce 300 tonnes of feed on a daily basis. Operations would be computerised and world-class machines would be used for production. Minister for Agriculture K.P. Mohanan presided. Kathakali artiste Chemanchery Kunhiraman Nair and farmers who excelled in the dairy farming sector were honoured.