Kerala - Alappuzha   

Benchmark price to be fixed for vegetables soon: Isaac

ALAPPUZHA: For the first time in the State, a benchmark price for vegetables will be fixed. The initiative will be introduced for organic vegetables in Kanjikuzhy and Mararikulam North gram panchayats during an Ayalkootam Sangamam at Kanjikuzhy on May 19.

Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said the cultivation expenses and a reasonable profit will be taken into account while fixing the benchmark price for each vegetable.

The vegetable cultivation in households, which was organic in concept, has expanded so much that the produce was adequate enough to be sold in the general market. These gram panchayats have become a role model for the State.

Dr. Issac said, “Stalls alongside the National Highway-47 and mobile vendors, who took the produce as far as Ernakulam, were among those who popularised the organic vegetables of Kanjikuzhy and Mararikulam.”

The Panchayat Development Societies (PDS) will procure vegetables from the farmers.

“The PDS has proved its credibility by ensuring orders worth Rs.17.7 crore in the last five years for small-scale coir product manufacturers in Kanjikuzhy. Now, it would take vegetable farmers along the path of self-sufficiency,” Dr. Isaac said.

On May 19, the Finance Minister will also release his latest book Marupachagal Undagunnathu—Kanjikuzhyude Padangal.

The book traces the transformation of Kanjikuzhy from poverty-stricken panchayat to a model gram panchayat in the country.

State Planning Board Vice-Chairman Prabhat Patnaik would release the book .

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