KOZHIKODE: Kudumbashree Mission plans to open 510 Onam vegetable markets across Malabar targeting sales of more than 1500 tonnes of organic vegetables grown in its neighbourhood.
Expecting a turnover of more than Rs 15 crore , it aims at displaying over 4700 tonnes of fresh farm vegetables.
These Onam markets will function at the district and village level with the participation of farms and micro-enterprises, whose value-added products will also be on display.
Kudumbashree members had decided to grow 1,70,030 kg bhindi or ladies finger, cowpea 281, 737 kg, brinjal 173, 170 kg, bitter gourds 113, 753 kg, ridges and gourds 135, 950 kg, tubers yam colocasia 994, 340 kg, banana 2, 136, 800 kg, leafy vegetables 7470 kg and tapioca 680, 081 kg.
"These are the data from the five districts in Malabar," said C.S. Bindu, its community development service coordinator.
"Others are actively working to achieve this target. Through this, functioning for more than half a decade, we target to reduce the dependence on other states for vegetables".
She said reports of the high use of chemicals and pesticides targeting the festival seasons had sounded an alarm recently.
"Our mission is to stop this dependence, and people start buying the homegrown vegetables," she said.
"Kudumbashree members are growing vegetables for this season."
