Thrilled by the overwhelming public response for its Krishi Business Kendra in Kakkanad, the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council (VFPCK) is all set to take up a host of new projects.
The centre, which was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan last November, has started seeing over 200 customers daily.
All types of fruit plants, vegetable plants, seeds, tissue culture plants, grow bags and manures for homestead garden are available for sale at KBK at Kakkanad
“The response has been extremely encouraging with over 200 customers. The daily sale is on an average between `15,000 and `20,000. There are days when it has reached even `30,000! What is interesting is that these are not farmers but completely urban population who want to grow fruits and vegetables on their terrace or in the 5-10 cents of land they own,” said the CEO of the VHPCK V V Pushpangadan.
Coir Pandals
In keeping with the demands of the targeted population, the centre will soon make available coir pandals in a project in association with the Coir-fed . These coir pandals to grow vegetable and fruit creepers are completely ready-made and could be fixed in any limited land area. Another project, in association with the Animal Husbandry Department, will make available dry cow dung at the centre from Friday. This is to cater to the unavailable dry cow dung in urban areas.
Handy Pesticide Sprays
In the coming days, the department also proposes to provide handy pesticide sprays and other equipment. The centre is providing over 70 varieties of vegetables and fruits including several exotic varieties.
Grow Bags
The grow bags have been another key attraction for the urban population. The bags which will have seedlings and all the other components including brick mud, cow dung, organic bacteria anti-pesticide bacteria are ideal for terrace farming and growing plants in limited space.
Sources with the KBK say that most of the customers are young IT professionals. “There is an increased awareness and health consciousness especially among the youth about the hazards of the pesticide-sprayed vegetables and fruits that are available in the market,” said the CEO.