FLOWER SHOW TO BE MADE A NATIONAL EVENT

Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan has said that the government will make the State- level flower show of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), being held at the Regional Agriculture Research Station (RARS) at Ambalavayal in the district, a national event from next year.Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday after visiting the flower show, Mr. Mohanan said the National Rose Society had asked the KAU authorities about the possibilities of hosting the National Rose show next year here and all steps would be taken to host the mega event. Funds would not be a constraint, the Minister said.

The large number of flowers displayed at the flower show projected the vast potential of the hill district in floriculture and it should be promoted, Mr. Mohanan said, adding that he had discussed with the KAU authorities the possibilities of keeping the gardens, put up in connection with the show, as a permanent setup to attract more farmers to floriculture.The government had taken steps to fill the vacant posts of scientists and labourers of the research station and they would be appointed soon, the Minister said.

There were plans to make the State an ‘organic State’ by 2016 by reducing the application of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, in the light of the endosulfan tragedy in Kasaragod. As part of it, 100 hectares of land under the possession of the RARS would be set up as a model for organic cultivation, Mr. Mohanan said. The Animal Husbandry Department would provide 10 cows to the station free of cost for the purpose. Compensation to farmers for crop loss owing to natural calamities would be disbursed by the end of February, Mr. Mohanan said. P. Rajendran, Associate Director of Research, RARS, and I.C. Balakrishnan, MLA, accompanied the Minister.

Prof. John Kurakar