THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s plans work out, Raj Bhavan staff will get vegetables grown on the verdant estate of the governor’s official residence for Onam. Plans are also afoot to distribute ‘Made in Raj Bhavan’ banana chips and honey as well.
The initiative is part of Arlekar’s vision to transform the Raj Bhavan into a productive institution. Agricultural activities have already begun on the nearly 50 acres of land surrounding the estate and a supervisor from the agriculture department has been appointed to oversee them. At present, gardening staff have been deployed to prepare the land for cultivation.
“Vegetables such as snake gourd, spinach, drumstick, pumpkin, cucumber and long beans have already been planted. If the rains are favourable, the kits for Onasadya will be ready on time,” said a Raj Bhavan official.
Around 150 banana saplings, of varieties such as poovan, kannan, and rasakadali among others, have been sourced. Other crops under cultivation include sweet potato and tapioca. Earlier, the Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI), Palode, had helped set up a herbal garden at Raj Bhavan with over 200 medicinal plants. However, many of the plants perished due to lack of proper care. Recently, Arlekar summoned the TBGRI director and instructed the restoration of the herbal garden.
“TBGRI has agreed not only to plant new medicinal herbs but also to train the staff in maintaining them. They have also agreed to support the development of a small bamboo garden,” the official said.
Meanwhile, officials from the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute in Sreekaryam visited Raj Bhavan at the governor’s request and agreed to provide a detailed report on converting the unused land into farmland. Arlekar also suggested installing beehives at suitable locations within the Raj Bhavan premises.
There are four ponds on the premises, and consultation has been sought with Kerala Matsyafed on the possibility of starting fish farming. A cowshed with four cows, including the Vechur breed, established during the tenure of the previous governor, continues to operate. Arrangements have also been made to raise goats, with the milk requirements of the estate being met internally.
Arlekar also envisions a small warehouse for storing agricultural produce from the Raj Bhavan and, if needed, a distribution system. He draws inspiration from his experience as the governor of Bihar, where a similar initiative was implemented.