In order to prevent unnecessary food shortages post-lockdown, the Agricultural Department is planning to extend the farming to the lands that have been lying idle with no work being done on them. The department is going to enlist the service of the farmers, youth along with NRI returnees to take part in the initiative.
The department has planned to bring together 25,000 hectares of cultivable fallow land under the prospects of food production for this specific initiative. Some of the common crops that are being planned for this initiative include paddy, vegetables, fruits, tuber crops, pulses and millets. This is expected to ensure food security in the coming months. The same was stated by Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar.
In order to churn the maximum success from this initiative, the department is hoping to rope in the aid of the public, especially that of the youth. Aside from that, the department is also hoping to wire in NRI returnees, farmers, NGOs, Kudumbashree units and voluntary organisations as well.
Aside from that, the department is also welcoming the private land owners who are willing to allow cultivation on their land. They can register with the Agricultural department for further inputs.
The constant scare of a possible food shortage in the upcoming months because of the Covid-19 outbreak has already triggered a slump in the agricultural production in the neighbouring states. This is what propelled the department to take immediate decisions regarding the same. The internal production of vegetables, fruits and tubers was a necessity at the moment.
The Agricultural department has also collaborated with Local Self Government, Water Resources, Co-operation and Animal Husbandry to further make this initiative a success. The Agricultural department has assured to provide with technical expertise and market support as needed.
For further details, one can visit www.keralaagriculture.gov.in.
