The Niravu Farmers’ Club, which recently secured the ‘A-Grade Cluster’ recognition for its vegetable cultivation initiatives from the Agriculture Department, has joined hands with various residents’ associations, farmers’ collectives, and educational institution, to promote organic vegetable farming.

The club will coordinate the cultivation of vegetables on 12.5 acres of land in collaboration with various farmers’ groups this summer.

District Collector C.A. Latha inaugurated the programme on the premises of the Urban Agriculture Wholesale Market at Vengeri here on Sunday. The initiative would be given all support by making it part of the ongoing Haritholsavam Project of the district administration, she said.

The Haritholsavam project was intended to promote organic vegetable farming in the district, Ms. Latha said.

Vegetables will be grown in different localities under the supervision of Niravu. Member residents of Niravu will grow vegetables on their small landholdings. The ‘Green World’ farmers’ collective at Vengeri will grow vegetables on six acres of land. The Youth Farmers Club at the Providence Women’s College will use 40 cents of land.

The Prathyasha Residents’ Forum, the Kulangara Residents’ Association, and Snehadeepam Residents’ Forum are cooperating with the venture by cultivating vegetables on the premises of residences.

Niravu will take care of the marketing of the produce. The organisation will also ensure the availability of organic seeds and manures.

The vegetables produced will be marketed through the exclusive organic vegetable outlet of Niravu at Nadakkavu.

Training will be imparted to farmer groups. Niravu will bear the cost of transporting the produce to the outlet, project coordinator P. Babu said. “We hope the crops will be ready for the Vishu season,” he said. For more details, contact: 94472 76177.