The premises of Kochi Corporation’s solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram is notorious for its unbearable stench. However, the area will soon wear a green look, with the launch of agriculture initiatives on its premises.
To mark World Environment Day the Corporation launched a project to cultivate paddy in 2.5 acres near the plant on Wednesday. Mayor Tony Chammany inaugurated the initiative by sowing seeds.
“The Corporation’s policy is that no piece of land should be left barren. It has 106 acres at Brahmapuram of which about 10 to 12 acres has been taken up by the plant,” said Health Standing Committee chairman T K Ashraf. The project is being implemented with technical assistance from Krishi Bhavan, Vadakkekkara. “The high yielding seed ‘Kanchana’ will be used,” he said. The project would help develop a green lung around the plant area. “The Corporation is already cultivating various vegetables and banana on the premises of plant,” he said.
The Corporation has deployed employees on contract for maintaining the field. If everything goes well, the yield can be harvested after 120 days,” Ashraf said.