KOCHI: With organic farming gaining roots in the state and people giving a wide berth to vegetables which have been doused with pesticide, Kerala is witnessing a surge in stalls and outlets which sell these veggies. The latest entrant to the organic bandwagon is an outlet named “Udayasree Naadan Pachakkarikkal”, which has been set up by the Department of Agriculture and Udayamperoor Jaivakarshaka Samithy jointly. The outlet opened on Wednesday.
“The outlet has been opened under the vegetable development scheme of Department of Agriculture. Though there are a number of options available under this scheme, we opted for organic vegetable. Under this scheme, the outlet will collect and market organic vegetables. Along with this, bio-pharmacy products produced by the Kerala Agricultural University and Department of Agriculture will be made available to farmers,” said Lisymol J Vadukkoot, Agricultural Officer, Udayamperoor. She also added that through the outlet bio-control agents, organic pesticides and tonics which are not available in the open market can be bought at this outlet.
The outlet, which was inaugurated by film actor Aju Varghese, will only procure vegetables grown at Udayamperoor and the working of the same will be controlled by a committee consisting of 26 persons.
“The committee, including actor Srinivasan, will monitor the day to day functions of the outlet. Not everyone can sell their products through this outlet. It is restricted to the members, who are selected on the criteria set by the Agricultural Officer. Those who are selected will have to pay an amount of `1,000 as membership fee. The members can buy products from the outlet at a discount of two per cent,” said Lisymol.
Other than vegetables, the outlet will sell brown rice, spices, eggs, coconuts, products of Meat Products of India and others.