Augmentation of paddy production will be given top priority, Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar has said.
Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Thrissur Press Club on Sunday, he said a databank on wetlands in the State would be prepared within the next six months.
“The agriculture growth in the State has shown an alarming decline and it has reached minus 4.6 per cent in the current year. The State produces only six lakh tonnes of rice while our consumption is 45 lakh tonnes a year. It will affect our economic stability, food safety and ecosystem. The government has been planning both short-term and long-term strategies for improving food production,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Agriculture would be made part of the school curriculum, the Minister said. “We should catch them young,” he added.
The Minister said the government would not allow filling of farmland. Efforts would be taken to change from one-time farming practice to two-time farming wherever possible.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The fruits of research in field farming should reach the common man. Effective coordination of the Kerala Agricultural University and the Agriculture Department is necessary for that.”
Mr. Sunil Kumar said the government was committed towards propagating organic farming. “Trained teams to check pesticide attack will be deployed in the State, so that use of pesticides can be checked. Laboratories to check pesticide content in fruits and vegetables will be established across the State. Use of dangerous pesticides will be discouraged.”
The Minister said the Thrissur-Ponnani kole development package would be revamped.