In a vigorous drive to convert the state into a new domain for organic agri-products, the state government aims to turn Kerala into a fully organic state by 2016.
During the inaugural session of the Global Agro Fest 2014 at Karukutty on Thursday, the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy stressed that Kerala will strive hard to get an ‘Organic Tag’ for its agri-products. “The drive is progressing in the three northern districts. It will taken across the state and we can earn the title of a fully organic state by 2016,” he said.
The first such event being held in Kerala, the three-day event had unveiled a whole world of opportunities in front of visitors. That the state is yearning to retrieve lost ground in agriculture was aired by the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during the event. “We want to attract youngsters into the field. The government is committed to provide all support to them,’’ he declared and added that with the intention of staying connected with new vistas in agriculture, the Global Fest will be an annual event for the state.
The state has also cast the dye to attract investment of Non-Resident Keralites (NRK) to recoup the state’s synergies in the agri-sector. “One notable aspect is that when the state is facing acute crisis in the agri-sector, NRK’s are evincing lot of interest and are ready to make investments. A single window scheme to facilitate their foray into agriculture is being thought by the government,” declared K P Mohanan, the moving force behind the meet.
The international organic fair organised by Biofach India, alongside the meet, as a convergence of states and enterprises which are cashing in on the worldwide fad for organic products turned out to be an eye-opener .The fest also looked at agriculture as a business model, with a structured pattern for cultivation ,marketing techniques and close working of all stake-holders was presented to think above just a livelihood support system.
The State Agricultural Department, in association with ICCOVA, the subsidary of Biofach India, The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation and the Confederation of Indian Industry had organised the event.
09.11.2014
Source: The Sunday Standard
