Thiruvananthapuram :

Manju Warrier, who got appointed as the goodwill ambassador of Kudumbashree’s organic farming initiative, has assured total support for the project. “It is a realization of my role in the film ?How Old Are You,” said the actor here on Friday. She was speaking after formally anointed as the goodwill ambassador by social justice minister Dr M K Muneer.

The state used to be self-sufficient in vegetables and fruits, but now awaits trucks carrying vegetables from other states. The state buys around 25 lakh tonnes of vegetables a year from other states, which incurs about Rs 1,100 crore expense, despite the fact that it is treated with poisonous chemical pesticides, she said.

Minister Muneer said, it is a great comeback for Manju Warrier. “Toxic free organic farming by Kudumbashree will be promoted with Manju Warrier’s support. Kudumbashree will also ensure that its organic farm produce is poison-free and certified through quality control checks before it reaches the market,” Muneer said.

Kudumbashree Mission executive director K B Valsalakumari said that 50,000 farm groups of women were involved in organic cultivation of paddy, plantain, tapioca and many vegetables in 47,000 hectare of leased land. “Kudumbashree has 16,000 master farmers and 1,000 farmer facilitation centres with Green Brigade or Karshikakarmasena to promote organic terrace farming in each household. Each grow bag with the seedling or sapling will be provided at Rs 80 and their services to nurture the plants will be available at Rs 100 per month,” she said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Thiruvananthapuram / TNN / July 05th, 2014