KAKKANAD:The Ernakulam District Cooperative Bank has envisaged a project titled ‘Oru Muram Visharahitha Pachakari’ in the district, with the aim of ensuring a healthy and bountiful Onam for the residents.
The project, which is part of the Bank’s initiative to cultivate poison-free vegetables and make Ernakulam district self-sufficient, will be inaugurated by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at 10.30 am on May 22 at the Bank headquarters at Thrikkakara. Benny Behanan MLA will preside over the function.
The bank plans to distribute vegetable seeds and organic manure to around 50,000 households, which could produce around 20,000 tonnes of organic vegetables by September. “Seeds will be distributed through the District Cooperative Banks, Vegetables and Fruits Promotion Council and the Kerala Agricultural University. The supervision of the units will be entrusted to the director board members and workers. The Bank has also mooted another project for producing organic eggs,” said president N P Poulose.
The programme includes distribution of chicks that can be grown in chicken coops. The hens should be fed with grass and organic food. The Bank will also provide financial support of `1,500 for every farm. Initially, chicks will be distributed to 250 families in the Kurumassery area in Aluva.
The seeds will be collected from various agricultural institutions, which will be monitored by the project directors. The project will be promoted through residents’ association, Kudumbashree units and local self-government institutions.
Members of the local bodies, agricultural institutions, farm information bureaus and experts in the field will extend their support for the project.
The bank also plans to take steps to sell the vegetables produced under the project to households at the Onam fairs.
“An agriculture fair and seminar will be conducted on May 22 and 23 at M V J Hall. For details, contact 04842424549 or 9446510471,” said a statement from the bank.