PALAKKAD: The state of the art laboratory complex of the Poabs organic estate in Nelliampathy will commence production in January.
It would also function as a research and development centre in organic farming.
Poabs director Abraham Jacob told Express that the lab which has been set up in Nelliampathy at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore was one of the major bio labs in the state.
He said that the commissioning of the laboratory would ensure availability of quality organic inputs which was essential for maintaining quality specifications of end-produce meant for exports.
The products, the trial production of which has already begun, include Azospirillum, Azetobacter, Rhizobium, phosporous soluble micro-organisms and bio-control agents like Tricoderma, Pseudomanas and bio-pesticides like Beauveria, Verticillium and Metarhizium.
One of the aims of the lab complex would be to serve as a centre for imparting training on all aspects of organic farming ranging from fundamentals to advanced application of organic methods which will be helpful to the personnel working in public, private, corporate and social organisations connected with organic farming activities.
He pointed out that the lab will try to get the approval of the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Bio-technology so that it would be able to receive the necessary financial and technical support.
The Nelliampathy organic estate is a multi-organic plantation spread over more than 800 acres. It has an ISO 9001-2000 certification from international agencies including Demeter, Naturland, Skal, USDA, JAS and is a recipient of the “sustainability award” instituted by the Speciality Coffee Association of America.
The Poabs estate has also agreed to buy the organic paddy from the farmers in Palakkad and Alappuzha at price higher than the procurement price.