Kerala - Kannur   

Farmers told to diversify

Sharing their joy: Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes cutting a cake at a function in Kannur on Saturday to felicitate newly married couples as part of a community marriage programme of the Tellicherry Service Society.

KANNUR: Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes has called upon farmers to adopt diversified cultivation and intensified farming techniques for eradicating poverty. He was inaugurating the 42nd anniversary celebrations of the Tellicherry Social Service Society here on Saturday.

He said that even people from villages, generally known to be self-sufficient, often tended to go to markets to buy goods.

When farmers can produce milk, banana, fish and vegetables, they need not buy food at higher prices from shops, he said, adding that he himself had a keen interest in farming.

“A hardworking and sensible farmer can earn much more than those working in offices,” he said.

Mr. Fernandes said that the Central government was proposing to introduce an insurance scheme to cover farmers in the below poverty line category.

At the function, 10 newly married couples from poor families were felicitated on the occasion. Each couple was given a grant of Rs. 50,000 by the TSSS.

A gathering of members of self-help groups formed under the auspices of the TSSS was also held at the function which was presided over by Thalassery Archbishop George Valiyamattam.

TSSS executive director Mani Melvettom was present.

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Farmers told to diversify

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