The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Kerala Government to boost organic farming, considering the growth in home grown vegetables. 

At present, the share of home grown vegetables is minimal and this needs to be improved by adopting simple organic farming techniques, C.S.Kartha, the Chamber President said.

According to him, methods such as soil-less farming, terrace farming, and vertical garden concepts can enable people’s collective participation towards this movement.

Being a consumer state, Kerala used to import tonnes of vegetables and fruits from neighbouring States. The alarming rise of pesticide residue levels and increase in cancer patients has prompted the State to encourage domestic vegetable production through organic methods.  

Addressing the 158{+t}{+h} annual general meeting, he said the Chamber would extent all support in organic vegetable cultivation in order to supplement the food requirements in available space/land.

Lauding the government’s efforts in setting up Organic Literacy Mission and Farmer to Farmer Seed Exchange programme, Kartha said the Government should consider opening up the land which they hold for organic farming initiatives through private investments.

The revival of agriculture in a diversifying economy like Kerala requires tackling technology, organisation and environment through a functional planning process. However, it is a welcome sign that more people are turning to organic farming these days and the Government should extend all support, he added.

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