The Nedumangad block panchayat has embarked on a project to achieve self-sufficiency in vegetable cultivation through organic farming. The ‘Vallam Nira’ project, being undertaken by the local self-government institution, is also aimed at cultivating flowering plants.

The endeavour, which will be implemented through the Kudumbasree Mission in association with the grama panchayats of Karakulam, Aruvikkara, Vembayam, Panavoor and Anad, is being supported by the Haritha Keralam Mission.

Under the project, vegetable and flower cultivation will be encouraged among 25,000 households with the surplus produce being purchased by Jaivagramam units which will be operated by Kudumbasree workers. These will be later sold in the domestic market for reasonable prices. The sowing equipments and others required for executing the project were being distributed by the Jaiva Krishi Sevana Kendram that is run by the Nedumangad block panchayat.

Nedumangad block panchayat president B. Biju said that as many as 5,000 Kudumbasree groups, each comprising of five workers, have been formed by the ward-level grama sabhas, prior to implementation of the project. There will also be 1,600 monitors to ensure the smooth coordination of various activities, which will be reviewed every month by the block panchayat and agriculture officials.

The initial phase of the project, which got under way on May 27, involved the collection of an adequate number of sowing equipment. Besides, saplings of curry leaves, ‘agastya cheera’, jamanthi, jasmine and vada mulla were distributed among households. Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran had formally inaugurated the project.

Later, ‘jaivasabhas’ were later held in as many as 98 wards, believed to be a record in the State, which witnessed the participation of over 28,000 people, including 21,000 Kudumbasree workers. Manure and other materials that were required for organic farming were also distributed among the farmers. Efforts were currently on to source the surplus produce through Jaivagramam units.

The third phase of the project, which is expected to be held in December and January, will involve the distribution of tamarind and curry leaves saplings.