25 lakh seedlings to be distributed in State

Thiruvananthapuram: Agriculture Minister Mullakara Ratnakaran said here on Wednesday that 25 lakh vegetable seedlings would be distributed free-of-cost across the State through the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Kerala (VFPCK).

Speaking after inaugurating the distribution of seedlings at a function held at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, he said the project was conceived with the objective of reducing Keralas dependence on neighbouring States for vegetables.

�Many of the States are finding it difficult to meet their domestic demand. This is bound to impact the quantum of their exports. The resultant crisis for Kerala can be resolved only by stepping up local production, he said.

The Minister said homestead cultivation was one way to address the situation.

Director of Agriculture G.Surendran, Press Club secretary Biju Chandrasekhar and VFPCK chief executive officer N. Vijayan were present on the occasion.

The project involved distribution of high-yielding saplings through residents associations.

Seeds and saplings of cold climate vegetables like cabbage will also be sold at concessional price by VFPCK.