Kozhikode: With over 100 varieties of saplings of fruits and crops for sale and show, the Malabar Agri-Flower Farmers Society’s ‘Mannuthi Karshikamela’ going on at Comtrust Ground in the City is attracting a large number of people. Many are purchasing the saplings in bulk-especially the dwarf varieties of coconut and arecanut which give the yield within three years. Among the fruits, the N18 variety of Rambutan which is highly adaptable and is far superior to the existing varieties and Taiwan Orange –which is believed to have rich medicinal value are getting more takers.
Apart from the saplings, high yielding seeds claimed to have been collected directly from farmers from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are also available at the fest.This is the third consecutive year that the Society is conducting the agri-fest at Kozhikode. The fest started on Friday and will go on till July 2. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Malabar Agri-Flower Farmers Society Joint Secretary M.K Prasanth said that the fest was getting a good response not just from City dwellers, but also from distant places in the district.
“We are also getting repeat customers who had bought the products in the last two years and those who got the desired results,” he said. As many as 15 varieties of mangoes from Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are also available at the fest and have many takers. Hog Plum, Rambutan, Dragon Fruits etc which gives the yield in two to three years, and the Kasargod dwarf variety of coconut and arecanut are also getting a good number of takers. The fest was inaugurated by Kozhikode Corporation Mayor Thottathil Raveendran on Friday.
