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Plantation Corporation of Kerala launches development schemes

Staff Reporter

Emphasis on increasing productivity of cashew plantations

KASARAGOD: The Plantation Corporation of Kerala has started implementing a comprehensive development project with emphasis on increasing productivity of cashew plantations, diversification of activities and starting new ventures, PCK chairman T.J. Anjelose has said.

At a press conference at Periya in the district recently, 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 was expected to raise the yield considerably, Mr. Anjelose said.

He said the PCK developed a new grafting technology which was expected to raise the productivity of plants 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 mango, pineapple, jatropha, pepper, gooseberry and medicinal plants in the plantations under it, the chairman said. He said the PCK was 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 at helping tourism promotion activities, Mr. Anjelose said.

He said the PCK was 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 the PCK Babu Thomas also participated in the press conference.

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