Kerala   

Plantation Corporation eyes more productivity

Staff Reporter

KASARAGOD: The Plantation Corporation of Kerala Limited has begun implementing a development project which lays emphasis on increasing the productivity of cashew plantations, diversification of activities and launching of new ventures, PCK chairman T.J. Anjelose has informed.

At a press conference at Periya in the district on Tuesday, Mr. Anjelose said the replanting process that started in the Kasaragod, Cheemeni and Rajapuram cashew estates of the corporation would be completed in a time-bound manner. Planting new varieties of saplings at the estates was expected to raise the yield considerably, Mr. Anjelose said.

He said the PCK had developed a grafting technology which was expected to raise productivity considerably. The new technology involved growing two seeds simultaneously and grafting the two saplings using scion stick, he said.

Mr. Anjelose said the project being implemented by the PCK on an experimental basis for cultivation of cashew trees in laterite soils was found successful. The PCK would extend the project to new areas, he added. As part of the diversification activities the PCK would cultivate mangoes, pineapple, jetropha, pepper, gooseberries and medicinal plants in the plantations under it, the chairman informed. He said the PCK was also exploring possibilities for implementing plantation tourism and farm tourism in the estates under it. The Athirappally plantation valley of the corporation would be developed to attract tourists, he said. The Agriculture Minister would launch a website of the PCK next week aimed to help tourism promotion activities, Mr. Anjelose said.

He said the PCK was also planning to enter manufacturing of value added products from the cashew and cashew apple being harvested from its plantations. A latex factory would be started at Kodumon in Pathanamthitta district, he added. Managing Director of PCK Babu Thomas also participated in the press conference.

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