National horticulture research centre to be established at Nelliampathy

Thiruvananthapuram: A national horticulture research centre will be established at the orange and vegetable farm in Nelliampathy, as part of the plan to revive the farm.

This was decided at a review meeting of the State Horticulture Mission here, presided over by the Agriculture Minister, Mr Mullakara Ratnakaran.

The meeting also decided to set up a modern fruit processing plant and raise a fruit garden at Nelliampathy. The orange cultivation in the area will also be expanded.

More plans

The Agro Fruit Products, which was producing ‘Jyothi’ mango juice, at Punalur will also be revived. Besides, the basic infrastructure for marketing of honey, mushrooms and flowers would be developed.The meeting resolved to organise a honey congress in March and a mango festival in April this year. These apart, a national horticulture expo would be organised in January 2009.

The functioning of the State Horticulture Mission would be strengthened and for the purpose, a deputy director in each district has been entrusted with the task of implementing the programmes of the mission. The farmers would be able to procure quality organic fertilisers and other products from any source of their choice.